King Josiah
Josiah is one of the most notable kings of Judah, known for his dedication to God and his efforts to purify the worship practices of his nation. He is often compared to King David in his zeal for the Lord. Josiah's reign is characterized by a return to the covenantal faithfulness that had been neglected by his predecessors. His actions fulfill the prophecy given in 1 Kings 13:2, where a man of God foretold the birth of a king named Josiah who would reform the nation.

sent the scribe, Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam
Shaphan, the scribe, plays a crucial role in the reforms initiated by Josiah. As a scribe, Shaphan was responsible for recording and managing official documents, making him a key figure in the administration. His lineage, being the son of Azaliah and grandson of Meshullam, suggests a family of some standing and influence. Shaphan's involvement indicates the importance of the task at hand, as he was entrusted with a mission to the temple, highlighting the administrative and religious collaboration in Josiah's reforms.

to the house of the LORD
The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. At this time, the temple had fallen into disrepair due to neglect and the idolatrous practices of previous kings. Josiah's decision to send Shaphan to the temple underscores his commitment to restoring it as the focal point of worship and covenantal faithfulness. The temple's restoration is symbolic of the spiritual renewal Josiah sought for the nation.

saying
This introduces the instructions Josiah is about to give, which will set in motion the events leading to the discovery of the Book of the Law. This discovery is pivotal, as it catalyzes further reforms and a renewed covenant with God. Josiah's directive reflects his proactive leadership and desire to align the nation's practices with the divine commandments.

Eighteen years after ascending the throne, Josiah is now in his mid-twenties (2 Chron 34:3). The text signals a turning point: the king has had time to mature and firmly embrace the reforms he began at age sixteen, when he “began to seek the God of his father David.” Numbers matter in Scripture, and this timestamp roots the narrative in real history—reminding us that God acts in specific moments. It also connects Josiah to other “eighteenth-year” milestones, such as Hezekiah’s deliverance in his own eighteenth year (2 Kings 18:13), underscoring how God raises reforming leaders at pivotal times.

Josiah does not delegate spiritual renewal to chance; he proactively “sent” someone. Leadership in the kingdom means taking decisive steps the moment God’s will is clear (Psalm 119:60). Like Nehemiah later inspecting Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 2:11-15), Josiah initiates temple restoration, showing that covenant faithfulness involves deliberate action, not pious wishes.

Shaphan is more than a courier; he is part of a family of faithful administrators (Jeremiah 36:10-12; 2 Kings 25:22).

• A scribe managed royal records and finances—indicating Josiah’s reform touches the nation’s bureaucracy.

• Shaphan’s later role in reading the rediscovered Law (2 Kings 22:8-10) shows that the king chooses trustworthy, Scripture-honoring partners.

• The genealogy (“son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam”) roots Shaphan in a lineage known to God, echoing how covenant faithfulness often runs in families (2 Timothy 1:5).

The destination reveals the mission: repairing God’s dwelling place so true worship can flourish (2 Kings 22:5; cf. 2 Chron 29:3-5). Previous kings had neglected or defiled the temple (2 Kings 21:4-7), but Josiah reverses that trend. By sending Shaphan to the temple, he aligns the nation’s priorities with God’s—reminding us that revival begins where God has chosen to place His Name (Deuteronomy 12:5). It also foreshadows the discovery of the Book of the Law in that very location, illustrating how obedience opens the door to deeper revelation.

This word introduces Josiah’s clear instructions that follow in verses 4-7. His commands will:

• Release temple funds honestly (echoing Joash’s earlier reform, 2 Kings 12:4-15).

• Trust the workers’ integrity—“no accounting shall be required” (2 Kings 22:7)—modeling righteous stewardship (Proverbs 28:20).

Josiah’s voice, therefore, becomes an instrument for God’s purposes, paralleling the principle that “faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:17): spoken words launch transformative works.

2 Kings 22:3 captures the moment decisive covenant renewal moves from desire to action. In his eighteenth year, Josiah intentionally commissions a faithful scribe to restore the temple, signaling that true reform:

• Occurs in real time and space, anchored in history.

• Requires proactive, godly leadership.

• Involves trustworthy partners whose families have served faithfully.

• Places worship at the center of national life.

• Begins with clear, obedient words that set God’s work in motion.

The verse reminds every generation that honoring the Lord starts with concrete steps toward His house and His Word.

The king sent Shaphan . . . the scribe.--Chronicles mentions beside Maaseiah, the governor of the city, and Joah the recorder. Thenius pronounces these personages fictitious, because (1) only the scribe is mentioned in 2Kings 12:10 (?); (2) Joshua was the then governor of the city (but this is not quite clear: the Joshua of 2Kings 23:8 may have been a former governor; or, as Maaseiah and Joshua are very much alike in Hebrew, one name may be a corruption of the other); (3) Maaseiah seems to have been manufactured out of the Asahiah of 2Kings 22:12 (but Asahiah is mentioned as a distinct person in 2Chronicles 34:20); and (4) Joah the recorder seems to have been borrowed from 2Kings 18:18 (as if anything could be inferred from a recurrence of the same name; and that probably in the same family !). Upon such a basis of mere conjecture, the inference is raised that the chronicler invented these names, in order "to give a colour of genuine history to his narrative." It is obvious to reply that Shaphan only is mentioned here, as the chief man in the business. (Comp, also 2Kings 18:17; 2Kings 19:8). . . .