According to the Bible, when King Josiah was twenty-six years old, he ordered that the temple of the LORD be repaired.
In order to pay for the work, he sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, his scribe to instruct Hilkiah the high priest to collect money from the temple to pay for the repairs. This is recorded in 2Kings 22:3.
A seal has been uncovered by archaeologists bearing the name of one of Hilkiah's sons.
The seal reads: "Azariah son of Hilkiah." He is mentioned in 1Chronicles 6:13 & 9:11
(Azariah Son of Hilkiah Seal.)
When Hilkiah went into the temple to collect the money for the repairs, he found the Book of the Law of the LORD that had been given through Moses. Hilkiah gave the Book to Shaphan who read it to King Josiah.
According to 2 Kings 22:11-13, the following events then took place:
"Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying, "Go, inquire of the LORD for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written."
THE GREATEST ACT OF JOSIAH
"Then the king stood by a pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book." 2 Kings 23:3
THE GREATEST STATEMENT MADE BY THE LORD TO JOSIAH
"Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD . . . and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you, “says the LORD." 2 Kings 22:19
This article on Josiah is taken from our 4 volume book series "Bible Believer's Archaeology" which can be downloaded for your ebook reader by visiting our resource download page by Clicking Here.
Next Chapter - Jeremiah's Scribe, Baruch.
Sources used in compiling data and illustrations for this article:
Azariah Son of Hilkiah seal Photo Link
The Holy Bible, Author: The Lord God. Scripture is taken from the New King James Version unless noted.
Biblical Archaeology Review, July/Aug 1991
Pg.32-33 (Seal of "Azariah, Son of Hilkiah.")
Artwork: Pen and Ink Reproductions taken from a photograph of the "Azariah son of Hilkiah seal", Illustration copyright © 1997 John Argubright.
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