Chapter 22

Josiah becomes King for 39 years at the age of 8.  He is a very good King.  Josiah notifies Hilkiah the High Priest, to start using the money the Temple takes in to make repairs and get the Temple in order.

Hilkiah finds an apparently old, neglected, probably "lost" book of the law.  It makes its way to Josiah eventually.  Josiah tears his clothes on hearing the law, realizing that they and their fathers have strayed so very far from what God commands.  He realizes the wrath of God that has been incurred, and knows that it is entirely their fault.  Josiah has them inquire of Huldah the prophetess, and she tells them that God's wrath will not be turned back.  It is coming, and it will not be quenched, because the violations of His law are so many they must be dealt with.  Note that these sins have accumulated against the nation, and not so much against individuals.  God also says that this coming wrath will be put off until after Josiah's death, because he was truly penitent upon realizing the mistakes they were making.  So another principle:  God's punishment of a nation can be postponed by a leader who is truly interested in following after Him and His ways.  I don't know of a place where one good man delayed wrath, but Kings, as head of the nation, can bring this about.