Day 1 - Lord's Day - Sunday| Daily Devotions | The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2025-2026 |

 September 21

Lesson 3 (KJV)

Hilkiah’s Discovery

Devotional Reading: Romans 7:7–12

Background Scripture: 2 Chronicles 33:1–25

2 Chronicles 34:15–22, 26–27

15 And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.

16 And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it.

17 And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the Lord, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen.

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

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,

21 Go, inquire 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.

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26 And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard;

27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the Lord.

Key Text

Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.—2 Chronicles 34:15

Judah, from Isaiah to the Exile

Unit 1: Isaiah and the Renewal of the Temple

Lessons 1–4

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Identify what Hilkiah found.

2. Contrast King Josiah’s reaction to hearing Scripture read to that of his son King Jehoiakim in Jeremiah 36:20–26.

3. Make a plan to value the public and private reading of Scripture in an effort to keep God’s Word from being neglected.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. The Dead Sea Scrolls

B. Lesson Context

I. Discovering a Book (2 Chronicles 34:15–21)

A. Reporting and Reading (vv. 15–18)

Sugar Cookies

B. Reacting and Requesting (vv. 19–21)

Lost in the Temple Today

II. Consulting a Prophet (2 Chronicles 34:22, 26–27)

A. Identity and Location (v. 22)

B. Response and Reason (vv. 26–27)

Conclusion

A. Listening to God

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

How to Say It

Abdon	Ab-dahn.
Ahikam	Uh-high-kum.
Deuteronomy	Due-ter-abn-uh-me.
Hezekiah	Hez-ih-kye-uh.
Hilkiah	Hill-kye-uh.
Huldah	Hul-duh.
Jehoiakim	Jeh-hoy-uh-kim.
Manasseh	Muh-nass-uh.
Nahum	Nay-hum.
Noadiah	No-uh-die-uh.
Rehoboam	Ree-huh-boe-um.
Shallum	Shall-um.
Tikvath	Tick-vath.

What Do You Think? What personal practices and habits help prevent God’s Word from becoming neglected? Digging Deeper What corporate practices and habits also help in this regard?

What Do You Think? When was a time that God’s Word evoked strong feelings in you? Digging Deeper How did those feelings lead you to action regarding obedience to the Word of God?

What Do You Think? What further training or expertise do you need to deepen your study of God’s Word? Digging Deeper Who from your community will you invite to join you in studying God’s Word?

What Do You Think? What is your comfort level in discussing God’s anger? Digging Deeper How do you resolve that God is love (1 John 4:8, 16) but that He also demonstrates wrath (Psalm 7:11; Romans 1:18–19; Ephesians 5:6; etc.)?

 

What Do You Think? What steps will you take to cultivate a tender heart and humble attitude before the Lord? Digging Deeper What barriers prevent you from cultivating these things? How will you deal with such obstacles?

Conclusion

A. Listening to God

Josiah received the book of the law, heard its words, and humbly sought the Lord. His example gives us a model for responding to God’s Word today. Josiah received God’s words attentively and submissively.

To listen attentively assumes a posture of receptivity. We set aside our defensive tendencies, desires to deflect, and self-justifications. When we listen attentively to God’s Word, we set aside our expectations. Instead, we patiently receive God’s Word and let its power transform us.

After listening attentively, we submit to God’s Word and let it lead us into obedience. We hear God’s Word and commit to follow it. We are God’s children, obedient to His Word.

We can only receive God’s Word if our spiritual “ears” are prepared to “hear.” This reception occurs when we have a heart willing to repent of our sins, submit to God’s word, and seek Him above all else. Only then can we listen attentively to God’s words.

How do you receive God’s Word? Are you like Josiah and listen to it attentively and submissively? The one who is Creator, Ruler, and Redeemer has revealed Himself through Scripture. How can we not be interested in what He has to say?

B. Prayer

Lord God, we seek You night and day as we listen to Your voice and meditate on Your Word. Give us soft hearts so we might obey Your Word and submit to Your guidance for our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

C. Thought to Remember

Be a Josiah, not a Jehoiakim.

Involvement Learning

Enhance your lesson with KJV Bible Student (from your curriculum supplier) and the reproducible activity page (at www.standardlesson.com or in the back of the KJV Standard Lesson Commentary Deluxe Edition).

 John Mark Hicks, Nicole Howe, and Jon Miller, Editorial, “Hilkiah’s Discovery,” in The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2025–2026, ed. Taylor Z. Stamps et al., vol. 73, The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary (Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2025), 31–32.