Definition: And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying,

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Kings 22:12. It’s a really important passage about leadership and judgment. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Situation: King Josiah was facing a serious problem – he was being misled by his priests and advisors, and that was causing trouble throughout the kingdom of Judah. He was essentially asking for someone to investigate these people and tell them what needed to be done. Let’s look at each person mentioned: Hilkiah the Priest: A high-ranking priest who was being dishonest and serving his own interests, not God's. Ahikam the Son of Shaphan: A prophet – someone who speaks for God and warns people about wrongdoing. Ahikam was tasked with telling Josiah that the people were disobeying God’s laws. Achbor the Son of Michaiah: Another prophet, also warning about disobedience. Shaphan the Scribe: A scribe (a record-keeper) who was being used to cover up the wrongdoings of the priests. He was essentially a puppet. Asahiah a Servant of the King’s: This person was likely a loyal servant, and their position made them vulnerable to being manipulated. The Command – What They Were Saying: They were telling Josiah that “Let him be brought before me.” This is a direct command to bring this individual (likely Ahikam) before him for judgment and examination. In simpler terms, it means: “We need to talk to this person about what’s wrong. We need to understand why they are behaving in this way and what needs to be done to stop them.” Why is this important? This verse highlights a situation where: Leadership is flawed: Josiah was being led astray by his advisors, showing a lack of true spiritual leadership. God’s Word Matters: The message is that God has a voice and will hold people accountable for their actions. Overall Significance: It's a pivotal moment in the story of Judah, setting the stage for a shift towards righteousness and repentance. It highlights the importance of listening to prophets and being honest with God about wrongdoing. --- Do you want me to elaborate on any specific aspect of this verse? For example, would you like to know: What does "disobeying God’s laws" mean in a broader context? Why was Ahikam tasked with this role?