2 Kings 22:14

So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.

2 Kings 22:14 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the account of King Josiah’s reforms in Judah. Josiah became king at age eight and sought to restore true worship and remove idolatry. During temple repairs, Hilkiah the priest discovered the Book of the Law, likely Deuteronomy, which had been neglected. When the king heard its words, he sent a delegation to inquire of the Lord.

Meaning

The delegation included Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah. They went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum, son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. Huldah lived in Jerusalem in the “college,” a district also called the Second Quarter. The men “communed with her,” meaning they consulted her as a recognized prophetess.

Huldah’s role shows that God spoke through a woman prophet in a time of national crisis, and her authority was accepted by the king’s officials. This highlights the importance of seeking divine guidance when God’s word is rediscovered, and it demonstrates that God raises up faithful messengers regardless of gender or social position.

Biblical connections

Huldah’s prophecy, recorded in the following verses, declared judgment on Jerusalem but promised peace during Josiah’s reign. Her faithful ministry parallels other female prophets in Scripture, such as Miriam and Deborah, who also delivered God’s messages to His people.

Application

Josiah’s response models humility and obedience. Instead of relying on his own understanding or the counsel of his advisors alone, he sought the word of the Lord through a prophetess. This demonstrates his desire to align himself with God’s will and to understand the implications of the Book of the Law that had been discovered.

This verse encourages believers to humbly seek God’s wisdom and to value the counsel of those with spiritual insight when facing important decisions or matters of faith. It also reminds us that God can use anyone, regardless of gender or position, to deliver His truth.

Reflection

The collaborative effort of the priest, the scribe, and the officials to seek spiritual guidance from Huldah reveals the importance of consulting God’s messengers. When God’s word is rediscovered, the proper response is not mere acknowledgment but a sincere inquiry into His will, leading to repentance and reform.