2 Kings 22:12
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, 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,
This command belongs to the reform in Josiah's eighteenth year, which followed the unexpected discovery and study of a portion of Scripture that had long been lost. In the surrounding account Josiah directs the priest, royal officials, and scribe in the work of repairing the temple, and his faithful leadership advances the restoration of God's house. When the book of the law was found, he grieved that the people had been without it and did not know the punishments it warned would follow disobedience.
In response to the discovery, he sent officials to inquire of the Lord for himself and the people, because Israel had departed from God's statutes. By commanding the priest, officials, scribe, and royal servant to act, he worked as king to apply the principles of the law in the nation and pursue reform. The record of his reign including this command serves as a lesson for church leaders. His response teaches that when calamity comes, God's people should seek the meaning of what has happened and examine whether they are obeying and reverencing God's law.