2 Chronicles 34:18
Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
Shaphan tells King Josiah that Hilkiah the priest has given him the book of the law, and Shaphan reads it before the king. This is the unexpected moment in the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign that brings about his reformation, when a portion of Scripture strangely misplaced and lost for many years is discovered and studied. The way for this moment has been prepared by the silent yet powerful influence of the prophets' messages concerning the Babylonian captivity. As Josiah listens, he recognizes the law as a treasure of knowledge and a powerful aid to the reform he wants to bring about.
He resolves to walk by its counsel and to make its teachings known to the people, leading them to reverence and love God's law. The reading brings to light Israel's departure from God's statutes. It produces a deep work of repentance and return to the Lord, as Josiah humbles himself and repents and leads the people into a covenant to keep the Lord's commandments. The resulting reform movement averts the threatened judgments for a season.