1. Josiah was eight years old when he became king. He ruled 31 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah. Adaiah was from Bozkath.
2. Josiah did what the Lord said was right. He did good things as his ancestor David had done. Josiah did not stop doing what was right.
3. In Josiah’s eighteenth year as king, he sent Shaphan to the Temple of the Lord. Shaphan was the son of Azaliah, who was the son of Meshullam. Shaphan was the royal assistant. Josiah said,
4. “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest. Have him empty out the money the gatekeepers have gathered from the people. This is the money they have brought into the Temple of the Lord.
5. Have him give the money to the supervisors of the work on the Temple. They must pay the men who work to repair the Temple of the Lord.
6. The workers are carpenters, builders and stoneworkers. Also use the money to buy timber and cut stone to repair the Temple.
7. They do not need to report how they use the money given to them. They are working honestly.”
8. Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the royal assistant, “I’ve found the Book of the Teachings. It was in the Temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it.
9. Then Shaphan the royal assistant went to the king and reported to Josiah, “Your officers have paid out the money that was in the Temple of the Lord. They have given it to the workers and supervisors at the Temple.”
10. Then Shaphan the royal assistant told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from the book to the king.
11. The king heard the words of the Book of the Teachings. Then he tore his clothes to show how upset he was.
12. He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam son of Shaphan. He also gave them to Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan and Asaiah. Shaphan was the royal assistant. And Asaiah was the king’s servant. These were the orders: