Study Desk

When the king heard ^(C1)the words of the Law, ^(C2)he tore his clothes.

Then the king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, ^(F1)Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying,

"Go, inquire of the LORD for me and for those who are left in Israel and Judah, concerning the words of the book which has been found; for ^(C1)the wrath of the LORD which has poured out on us is great, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to act in accordance with everything that is written in this book."

So Hilkiah and those ^(F1)whom the king had told went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of ^(F2)Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, the keeper of the wardrobe (she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter); and they spoke to her regarding this.

Then she said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says: 'Tell the man who sent you to Me,

this is what the LORD says: "Behold, ^(C1)I am bringing ^(F1)evil on this place and on its inhabitants, all ^(C2)the curses written in the book which they have read in the presence of the king of Judah.

"^(C1)Since they have abandoned Me and have burned incense to other gods, so that they may provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands, My wrath will be poured out on this place and it will not be quenched."'

"But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD, this is what you shall say to him: 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says: In regard to the words which you have heard,

"^(C1)Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and its inhabitants, and because you humbled yourself before Me, tore your clothes, and wept before Me, I have indeed heard you," declares the LORD.

"Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace, so your eyes will not see all the evil which I am bringing on this place and its inhabitants."'" And they brought back word to the king.