Huldah: Using Her Gifts

¹⁴ While the money was being given to these supervisors, Hilkiah found the book that contained the laws that the had given to Moses. ¹⁵ Hilkiah handed the book to Shaphan the official and said, “Look what I found here in the temple— .” ¹⁶ Shaphan took the book to Josiah and reported, “Your officials are doing everything you wanted. ¹⁷ They have collected the money from the temple and have given it to the men supervising the repairs. ¹⁸ But there's something else, Your Majesty. The priest Hilkiah gave me this book.” Then Shaphan read it aloud. ¹⁹ When Josiah heard what was in , he tore his clothes in sorrow. ²⁰ At once he called together Hilkiah, Shaphan, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, and his own servant Asaiah. He said, ²¹ “The must be furious with me and everyone else in Israel and Judah, because our ancestors did not obey the laws written in this book. Go find out what the wants us to do.” ²² Hilkiah and the four other men left at once and went to talk with Huldah the prophet. Her husband was Shallum, who was in charge of the king's clothes. Huldah lived in the northern part of Jerusalem, and when they met in her home, ²³ she said: You were sent here by King Josiah, and this is what the God of Israel says to him: ²⁴ “Josiah, I am the ! And I intend to punish this country and everyone in it, just as this book says. ²⁵ The people of Judah and Israel have rejected me. They have offered sacrifices to foreign gods and have worshiped their own idols. I can't stand it any longer. I am furious. ²⁶ “Josiah, listen to what I am going to do. I noticed how sad you were when you heard that this country and its people would be completely wiped out. You even tore your clothes in sorrow, and I heard you cry. ^{27 28} So before I destroy this place, I will let you die in peace.” The men left and reported to Josiah what Huldah had said.

2 Chronicles 34:14-28