The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 419

about Josiah'e time. But this reasoning ls not good. As Hilkiah'e book contained Deuteronomy, whatever else it contain<>d, it would most likely make on Jeremiah as on Josi11.h, a deep impression, which would reflect itself upon his own writingf!o Rene~, from mere verbal correspondences, it cannot be inferred that Deuteronomy was not written till the age of Josiah; and if this position be abandoned, it will not be necessary to maintain that Hilkiah's book was only the last of the (so-called) books of Moses. (2) The entire Pentateuch (Keil, Bahr, Havernick, and others). Besides being borne ,out by the failure to establish the preceding alternative, this opinion is confirmed by the facts that the book was found in the temple by the high priest; that it is stated to have been." by Moses;" that it was recognized as such by Hilkiah, Shaphan, and Josiah; and that 1t made a profound impression on them all. (a) 'l'he fact that" it was a common practice of Egyptian scribes to insert in their transcripts of great religious or scientific works a statement that the writing in question had been• found' in a temple," hardly warrants the suggestion that Deut. xxxi. 6 was" an imitation of this custom," or that Hilkiah's book "wa.s not lost by accident, nor yet placed in the sanctuary with the intention to deceive, but simply taken to the temple and formally placed there, and then communicated to Josiah with a view to its promulgation" (Cheyne, 'Jeremiah: his Life and Times,' p. 85). (b) The phrase, "by Moses," is not sufficiently explained by saying that the author meant that Moses, had be been alive, would have so written (ibid., p. 78). (c) It is difficult to perceive why Hilkiah, Shaphan, and Josiah should have given out that the work was by Moses, if they really knew that it was not, but was merely an "imitation" of the great lawgiver. (d) It is too much to ask any but the credulous to believe that Josiah was not acting a part in pretending to be impressed by the contents of the book, if he knew it was not by the lawgiver, but bl an unknown and recent author. That it was the autograph copy of the lawgivers work (Kennicott) is an unverifiable surmise; that it was "the three middle books of the Pentateuch" (Bertheau) or only the second (Gramberg) does not seem likely. II. THE READING OF THE nooK. (Vers. 18, 19.) 1. The reader. Shaphan the scribe, the son of Azaliah (ver. 8), the son of Meshullarn (2 Kings xxii. 3), one of Josiah's commissioners for the repairing of the temple. 2. The auditor. Josiah (ver.18), to whom Shaphan carried the book in obedience to Hilkiah's instructions. 3. The lesson. "It" or "in it" (Revised Version). Not necessarily the whole book, but only portions of it, as e.g. those containing the curses against disobedience (Deut. xxvii.- xxxi.; Lev. xxvi. 14-46), warnings against idolatry (Lev. xxvi. 1-30; Deut. iv. 15; xxvii. 15), and perhaps also the directions relating to the observance of the Passover (Exod. xii.) and the making of a covenant (Exod. xxiv.). 4. The impression. Josiah rent his clothes (ver. 19). (1) In astonishment (cf. Gen. xxxvii. 29; xliv 13) at the teaching rather than at the finding of the book. Many persons still would bo surprised at the contents of the Bible if they only read it. The Bible is often rejected by those who are entirely ignorant of it. (2) In self-abasement (ver. 27), as an acknowledgment in outward action of the sense he had of his own and his people's shortcomings (cf. Numb. xiv. 6; 2 Sam. iii. 31), in respect of both their idolatries and their continued maintenance of local s:mctuaries-an acknowledgment the sincerity of which was attested by the tears with which it was accompanied (ver. 27). So does no reading of the Bible accomplish its highest aim or produce its best effect unless it humbles the hearer before God, and causes him to weep for bis sins (Job xlii. 5, 6; Ps. xxxviii. 18; Jer. xxxi 18, 19; 2 Car. vii. 9-11). III. THE INQUIRING ABOUT THE BOOK. (Vera. 21-28.) Done at Josiah's instance. 1. The reason of this inquiry. The terror in which the king was about the wrath of Jehovah against himself and people on account of the failure of their fathers to do after all tliat was written in the book. Josiah recognized the solidarity of the race, accord- inu to which the proverb held :rood, "'£he fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the cbil- dr~n's teeth are set on edge" (Ezek. xviii. 2). Besides, Josiah must have known the reforming zeal of the people was at best but superficial (Jer. iii. 10). Hence, though the land and the house had been purged, he was uncertain whether the curses denounced against idolatry might not still overtake them. It is good when "the terror of the Lord" (2 Cor. v. 11) persuades men to inquire about escaping from the wrath to come. 2. The r=ter at whwh this inquiry was made. (1) Jehovah. "Inquire of the Lord for me ' ( ver. 21 ). God is the only Being competent to direct how man may escape tho on. xxxtv. 1-33.] THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 425