King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 34:20 Mean?

And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying, Abdon: or, Achbor

2 Chronicles 34:20 · KJV


Context

18

Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. it: Heb. in it

19

And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.

20

And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying, Abdon: or, Achbor

21

Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.

22

And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath , the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect. Hasrah: or, Harhas, 2.kings.22.14. wardrobe: Heb. garments in the college: or, in the school, or, in the second part


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying,

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing God's Word driving comprehensive spiritual renewal. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיְצַ֣ו1 of 20

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ2 of 20

And the king

H4428

a king

אֶת3 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חִלְקִיָּ֡הוּ4 of 20

Hilkiah

H2518

chilhijah, the name of eight israelites

וְאֶת5 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲחִיקָ֣ם6 of 20

and Ahikam

H296

achikam, an israelite

בֶּן7 of 20

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שָׁפָ֣ן8 of 20

and Shaphan

H8227

a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax

וְאֶת9 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַבְדּ֨וֹן10 of 20

and Abdon

H5658

abdon, the name of a place in palestine and of four israelites

בֶּן11 of 20

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מִיכָ֜ה12 of 20

of Micah

H4318

micah, the name of seven israelites

וְאֵ֣ת׀13 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שָׁפָ֣ן14 of 20

and Shaphan

H8227

a species of rock-rabbit (from its hiding), i.e., probably the hyrax

הַסּוֹפֵ֗ר15 of 20

the scribe

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

וְאֵ֛ת16 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֲשָׂיָ֥ה17 of 20

and Asaiah

H6222

asajah, the name of three or four israelites

עֶֽבֶד18 of 20

a servant

H5650

a servant

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ19 of 20

And the king

H4428

a king

לֵאמֹֽר׃20 of 20

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 34:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 34:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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