Lives of Scripture

Shaphan the scribe served King Josiah of Judah, and was entrusted with overseeing the silver collected at the temple for its repair, instructing Hilkiah the high priest to have it paid out faithfully to the workmen without even requiring an accounting, 'for they deal faithfully' (2 Kings 22:3-7). During this repair project, Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law in the temple and gave it to Shaphan, who first read it himself before bringing it to Josiah, reporting on the silver and then reading the newly found scroll aloud to the king directly (22:8-10). Josiah's reaction was immediate and severe: he tore his clothes, recognizing how far the nation had drifted from what the book commanded and fearing God's resulting wrath (22:11). Josiah then sent a delegation -- including Shaphan, his son Ahikam, and others -- to inquire of the LORD about the book's words, and they went specifically to Huldah the prophetess, who confirmed both the coming judgment on Judah for its unfaithfulness and God's mercy toward Josiah personally for his humble, repentant response (22:12-20). This discovery, delivered faithfully into the king's hands through Shaphan, set off one of Judah's most thorough religious reforms, including the reinstitution of the Passover on a scale not seen since the days of the judges (23:1-25; 2 Chronicles 34:8-21, 29-33). Shaphan's family continued serving faithfully in the reform generation that followed, including his son Ahikam, who later protected Jeremiah from execution.