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2 Kings 22:14 meaning

They obeyed and sought spiritual direction to live in God’s will.

“So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter); and they spoke to her.” (2 Kings 22:14) This verse describes a contingent of officials who were sent to seek divine counsel from Huldah, a prophetess trusted for her relationship with God. They approached her after discovering the Book of the Law in the temple, following King Josiah’s orders to discern the LORD’s guidance for the nation. Jerusalem, the city in which this event took place, was a major center of worship and the political capital of Judah, located in the southern part of the land once ruled by David and his successors. The “Second Quarter” mentioned is likely a newer district or expansion of the city at that time, indicating the city’s growth and significance.

Huldah’s role is especially noteworthy since she was among the few named prophetesses in the Bible during this era. She lived during the reign of King Josiah (640 - 609 BC), a time of needed spiritual reform in Judah. The officials who sought her—Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah—represented a cross-section of the royal administration, headed by Hilkiah, the high priest who found the lost Book of the Law in the temple. Each of these figures played a part in uncovering and respecting God’s instructions, a continuation of the biblical theme explaining that God uses various people in positions of influence to bring about revival or reform.

Their decision to meet with Huldah reveals how a dedicated prophet or prophetess often served as God’s messenger for the community, confirming and interpreting His word for proper obedience. By approaching her, this verse reminds us that God’s truth is available to those who seek it faithfully. It also points forward to New Testament teachings about the necessity of hearing and following God’s words Luke 11:28). Just as King Josiah depended on the words of the Lord spoken through Huldah, so believers today depend on God’s revelation for direction.

2 Kings 22:14