Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 22
Usually, the prophets that we read about in the Bible were men. However, there were also prophetesses, in other words, female prophets (see also Numbers 12:1-2, Judges 4:4 and Acts 21:9). Perhaps the Bible mentions male prophets more often because they were able to write down their messages from God. A prophet is someone who declares messages from God. However, at the time of the Bible, usually only boys and men had learned to write.
Both Jeremiah and Zephaniah declared God’s messages as prophets during the rule of Josiah. However, it seems that Josiah and his chief priest Hilkiah both considered Huldah to be the principal prophet at this time. She was the wife of an official in Jerusalem; clearly, she was a very holy person, who prayed much.
Josiah sent Hilkiah to her with his government officials because Josiah needed God to direct him. So, Huldah prayed, and in reply God gave her two separate messages for Josiah. Huldah carefully distinguished between these two messages.
The first message (22:15-17) was a message of judgment against the nation called Judah and its people. It declared that the people had turned against God and against his law. They had chosen to serve false gods, and the real God was angry against them. Therefore, they must suffer the punishment that God’s law declared. Their enemies would destroy the nation, and its people would have to live in foreign countries. That was what God’s law declared. However, it also declared that in those foreign countries, they would have an opportunity to turn back to God. When they did that, God would bring their families back to their own country (Deuteronomy 30:1-10).
The second message (22:18-20) was for Josiah himself. It was a message of comfort for this king who was so sincere, humble, and loyal to God. He would not himself suffer this punishment.
Next part: God's message of comfort to Josiah (2 Kings 22:18-20)
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