2 Chronicles 34:20
And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the sonne of Shaphan, and Abdon the sonne of Mirah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a seruant of the kings, saying, 2 Chronicles 34:20 (KJV)
2 Chronicles 34 is part of the historical account of the reign of King Josiah in Judah. Josiah became king at a young age and was noted for his dedication to God and his vigorous efforts to bring about religious reforms throughout the nation.
In this verse the king commands Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king to go and enquire of the LORD for him and for those left in Israel and Judah concerning the words of the book that had been found. The request reflects Josiah’s desire to understand the newly discovered Book of the Law and to respond to the great wrath of the LORD that had been poured out because the fathers had not kept the word of the LORD.
The individuals named each had a distinct role. Hilkiah was the high priest who discovered the Book of the Law, likely the book of Deuteronomy, and his finding sparked Josiah’s spiritual awakening. Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, was a prominent official who later served as an advisor to King Jehoiakim and is noted for protecting the prophet Jeremiah. Abdon, the son of Micah, is mentioned only here and little else is known about him. Shaphan the scribe served as a royal secretary and was trusted by Josiah; his involvement was pivotal in the discovery and in the subsequent reforms. Asaiah is described simply as a servant of the king, with no further details provided in Scripture.
The temple itself was the central place of worship and a visible symbol of God’s presence among His people. Josiah recognized that restoring the temple was essential for the nation’s spiritual well‑being, and his command to inquire of the LORD underscores the importance of aligning worship with God’s revealed law.
From this passage we learn several timeless lessons. Josiah’s dedication to restoring the temple and seeking divine guidance teaches us to honor God and maintain His presence in our lives. The cooperation of Hilkiah, Ahikam, Abdon, Shaphan, and Asaiah demonstrates the value of teamwork in accomplishing God’s work. Finally, the transformative impact of the discovered Book of the Law reminds us of the power of God’s Word to shape, guide, and renew our hearts when we study it diligently.
