When the king heard the words of the LawThis phrase refers to King Josiah of Judah, who reigned from approximately 640 to 609 BC. The "words of the Law" likely refer to the Book of the Law, which was discovered in the temple during renovations. This book is generally considered to be a form of Deuteronomy or a collection of Mosaic laws. The discovery signifies a pivotal moment in Judah's history, as it highlights the neglect of God's commandments and the need for reform. The hearing of the Law underscores the importance of Scripture in guiding the moral and spiritual direction of the nation. This moment is reminiscent of the rediscovery of God's Word in other biblical narratives, such as the reading of the Law by Ezra in
Nehemiah 8.
he tore his clothes
Tearing one's clothes is a traditional expression of grief, repentance, or distress in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel. This act by King Josiah signifies his deep sorrow and alarm upon realizing how far the nation had strayed from God's commandments. It is a physical manifestation of his inner turmoil and repentance. This response is consistent with other biblical figures who tore their garments in times of crisis or mourning, such as Job (Job 1:20) and King Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:1). Josiah's reaction also prefigures the call to repentance found in the New Testament, where true repentance involves a heartfelt turning back to God, as seen in the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
King JosiahThe king of Judah who initiated religious reforms and sought to restore the worship of Yahweh. His response to the reading of the Law demonstrates his humility and reverence for God.
2.
Hilkiah the High PriestThe priest who found the Book of the Law in the temple. His discovery was pivotal in sparking the religious reforms under Josiah.
3.
Shaphan the ScribeThe royal secretary who read the Book of the Law to King Josiah, leading to the king's dramatic reaction.
4.
The Book of the LawLikely a portion of Deuteronomy, this sacred text was rediscovered during temple repairs and played a crucial role in the revival of Judah's covenant with God.
5.
JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, where the temple was located and where these events took place.
Teaching Points
The Power of God's WordGod's Word has the power to convict and transform hearts. Josiah's reaction to the Law demonstrates the profound impact Scripture can have when it is read and understood.
The Importance of RepentanceTearing one's clothes was a sign of deep mourning and repentance in ancient Israel. Josiah's response is a model for how believers should react to the conviction of sin.
Leadership and Spiritual RenewalJosiah's leadership in seeking God and reforming the nation underscores the role of godly leadership in guiding others toward spiritual renewal.
Rediscovering God's WordThe rediscovery of the Book of the Law reminds us of the importance of regularly engaging with Scripture, which can be neglected or forgotten in our lives.
Personal and Communal ReformationJosiah's personal response led to communal reform. Our personal spiritual renewal can have a ripple effect, influencing our families, churches, and communities.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 34:19?
2.How does Josiah's reaction in 2 Chronicles 34:19 demonstrate true repentance?
3.What can we learn from Josiah's response to "the words of the Law"?
4.How does Josiah's humility compare to other biblical leaders' reactions to God's Word?
5.In what ways can we apply Josiah's example to our daily Bible study?
6.How does Josiah's response encourage us to prioritize God's Word in our lives?
7.Why did King Josiah tear his clothes upon hearing the words of the Law in 2 Chronicles 34:19?
8.What does Josiah's reaction in 2 Chronicles 34:19 reveal about the importance of Scripture?
9.How does 2 Chronicles 34:19 challenge modern views on the authority of biblical texts?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 34?
11.Who was Huldah the Prophetess in the Bible?
12.Why did people rip their clothes in the Bible?
13.(2 Chronicles 34:22-28) Why would King Josiah consult the prophetess Huldah instead of better-known prophets like Jeremiah, if both were contemporaries?
14.How credible is the sudden discovery of the 'Book of the Law' in 2 Kings 23:2 given the lack of external historical records?What Does 2 Chronicles 34:19 Mean
When“Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the temple, the king sent…” (2 Chronicles 34:8).
– The timing underscores that Josiah was already seeking God, yet Scripture still cut deeper (Hebrews 4:12;Acts 2:37).
– God’s Word confronts us precisely when He knows we are ready to respond (Psalm 119:105).
– The chronological marker roots this event in real history, reinforcing the literal reliability of the account.
the king heard“Shaphan read it in the presence of the king” (34:18).
– A monarch humbled himself to listen, fulfilling the command that every king “must write for himself a copy of this Law…and read it all the days of his life” (Deuteronomy 17:18-20).
– Hearing is the funnel God ordained for faith to enter the heart (Romans 10:17).
– Leadership is accountable to the same standard as the least citizen (James 3:1;Luke 12:48).
– Contrast: when Ahab heard Elijah’s words he also tore his clothes, yet his repentance proved shallow (1 Kings 21:27-29).
the words of the LawThese were not vague moral suggestions but the very covenant document—likely Deuteronomy—calling Israel to obedience (Deuteronomy 31:24-26).
– Scripture is “perfect, reviving the soul” (Psalm 19:7-9) and “profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
– Josiah recognized that the curses described were hanging over Judah because of persistent idolatry (34:21).
– The clarity and sufficiency of God’s written Word expose sin and point to the only path of restoration (Joshua 1:8).
he tore his clothes“When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes” (34:19).
– Tearing garments was a public sign of grief and repentance (Joel 2:13;Jonah 3:6).
– The act showed sincere humility, not royal theatrics; God later affirmed Josiah’s tender heart (34:27).
– Authentic repentance begins inwardly but overflows outwardly (James 4:8-10).
– Parallel account:2 Kings 22:11 records the same literal action, confirming historical accuracy.
summaryJosiah’s immediate, heartfelt response models how every believer should approach Scripture: receive it in the moment God presents it, listen humbly regardless of status, let its clear words expose sin, and respond with genuine repentance.
Verse 19. - With one insignificant exception (the omission here of the word
סֶפֶר), the words of this verse are identical with the parallel in its ver. 11. The same, to all purposes, may be said of our twelve succeeding verses, compared with the parallel in its ver. 12 -
2 Chronicles 23:3. The king rent his clothes, in grief that the practice of his nation had diverged so terribly from their ever-to-be-venerated Law.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
When the kingהַמֶּ֔לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingheardכִּשְׁמֹ֣עַ(kiš·mō·a‘)Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligentlythe wordsדִּבְרֵ֣י(diḇ·rê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causeof the Law,הַתּוֹרָ֑ה(hat·tō·w·rāh)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8451:Direction, instruction, lawhe toreוַיִּקְרַ֖ע(way·yiq·ra‘)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7167:To rendhis clothesבְּגָדָֽיו׃(bə·ḡā·ḏāw)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 899:A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage
Links
2 Chronicles 34:19 NIV2 Chronicles 34:19 NLT2 Chronicles 34:19 ESV2 Chronicles 34:19 NASB2 Chronicles 34:19 KJV
2 Chronicles 34:19 BibleApps.com2 Chronicles 34:19 Biblia Paralela2 Chronicles 34:19 Chinese Bible2 Chronicles 34:19 French Bible2 Chronicles 34:19 Catholic Bible
OT History: 2 Chronicles 34:19 It happened when the king had heard (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) 
