Huldah was the wife of Shallum who was the son of Tikvah and grandson of Harhas the keeper of the wardrobe. The keeper of the wardrobe was a servant in the king’s palace who took care of the royal robes. He would have been very friendly with the king. So this would make Huldah very knowledgeable about the deeds of the king. She also resided in the Holy City of Jerusalem.
“Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.” 2 kings 22:14b
To fully understand the story of Huldah one must look at King Amon and Josiah. King Amon did what was evil in the sight of God. He served and worshipped idols.
“And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh did. 21 And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:” 2 kings 21:20-21
Amon was not liked and was murdered by his own people. His son Josiah was then made king.
“And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.” 2 kings 21:24
When Josiah became king he was eight years old. He, however; unlike his dad, walked with God. When he was eighteen years old he sent a scribe to the High Priest Hilkiah, to see how much money they had gathered from the people. Unlike most money-hungry kings, he instructed the scribe to give the money to those who worked and maintained the house of the Lord.
“And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the Lord: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the Lord, to repair the breaches of the house, 6 Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house. 7 Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.” 2 Kings 22:5-7
The High Priest told Shaphan the scribe about the book of the law found in the temple. Shaphan returned to the king and read the book to him. Josiah realized how bad his father and others had been. He rent his clothes. To rent (tear) one’s clothing is a deep show of regret and sorrow. He immediately sent Shaphan to enquire of God about the book of law. He knew that the wrath of God was great. He wanted to see if there was any way to correct the disgraceful acts of his predecessors.
“Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.” 2 Kings 22:13
This is where Huldah the prophetess story begins. A prophetess is the mouthpiece of God. Huldah knew why they came and was already privy to what God would do. She readily informed them of the anger of God and the punishment he would issue. This punishment was to be deterred.
“And she said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, 17Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.”
2 Kings 22:15, 17
But God was touched by Josiah’s tender heart and the fact that he humbled himself to God, wept, and rent his clothes in sorrow. He also saw him speak against what had taken place in the Temple and how the people worshipped idols. Because of this, he would let Josiah die a peaceful death and not see what God was going to do to the people.
“Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; 19 Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. 20 Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.” 2 Kings 18b-20
The king did make a covenant to walk with God. He abided by the book of God’s law. He tore down idols etc. and made a law that no one could sacrifice their children. but the priest would not come up to the altar. The Bible says that there was no king before him or after him that gave God all his heart and soul.
“And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.” 2 Kings 23:25
The words of Huldah came to pass, God kept his word, and Josiah was killed in battle and did not go through God’s wrath.
Some people believe that you must be rough and tough to make a statement and become a renowned woman, however; Huldah was faithful and worked on her relationship with God. This relationship gave her insight and direct communication with God. It does not matter if our fame on earth is big or small, our walk with God is what counts. This woman helped another to make himself right with God. What have you contributed to the work of God?
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