2 Kings 22:1 to 22:20 God's Word has the power to transform hearts, expose compromise, and spark revival when we hear and obey it. Learn about young King Josiah who sought the Lord from childhood. Discover how the Book of the Law was found during temple repairs. Follow Josiah's example of tender-hearted repentance and love for Scripture. For decades, wicked kings Manasseh and Amon filled Judah with pagan idols. God's holy law was completely neglected and forgotten in dusty temple storage. The Boy King Who Did What Was Right [Josiah](/bible/explorer/person/josiah) was only eight years old when he was crowned king of Judah in [Jerusalem](/bible/explorer/place/jerusalem). Scripture honors him: "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left." As a young teenager, Josiah began seeking the God of his father David and ordered the broken, neglected temple of the Lord to be repaired. Treasure in the Dust While workers were clearing rubble, fixing broken stones, and repairing beams, the high priest Hilkiah made an astonishing discovery. He ran to Shaphan the secretary and shouted: "I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord!" For generations, God's written Word had been lost and forgotten. Shaphan brought the ancient scroll to King Josiah and read it aloud. Tearing Clothes and Tearing Down Idols When King Josiah heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in grief and wept before God! He realized that Judah had broken God's covenant for decades. God sent a message through the prophetess Huldah: "Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord, your eyes shall not see the disaster." Josiah gathered the whole nation, read the Law to them, renewed the covenant, and smashed down every pagan altar in the land! Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 How old was Josiah when he became king of Judah? Eight years old Twenty years old Fifty years old Twelve years old Eight years old 2 Kings 22:1 tells us Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign. What precious treasure was found while repairing the temple? The Book of the Law (the Scriptures) A chest of silver coins King Solomon's golden crown A magic sword The Book of the Law (the Scriptures) 2 Kings 22:8 records Hilkiah finding the Book of the Law in the temple. What did King Josiah do when he heard God's Word read aloud? He tore his clothes in repentance and renewed the covenant He laughed and threw the scroll away He hid the book in a cave He went to sleep He tore his clothes in repentance and renewed the covenant 2 Kings 22:11 says Josiah tore his clothes in tender-hearted sorrow over their sin. Dust off your Bible, keep it in an honored place in your room, and read one chapter every day this week. Lord God, your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Forgive us when we neglect your Bible or let it collect dust on a shelf. Give me a soft and tender heart like young King Josiah, so that whenever I read your truth, I will listen, repent, and obey with joy. In Jesus' name, Amen. How could an entire nation lose the Bible inside their own church temple? How can young people today be godly leaders like Josiah, even when people around them do not care about God? Explorers learn from Josiah's rediscovery of Scripture that God's Word brings true conviction, repentance, and life transformation. Bring a dusty old book covered in real dust or cobwebs. Blow the dust off to reveal a Bible! Ask: "What happens when people forget God's Word?" What part of the Bible was found in the temple? Scholars believe it was likely the Book of Deuteronomy or the entire Torah (the first five books of Moses), containing God's covenant with Israel. 5 min Hook & Dusty Book Demo, 12 min Narrative, 8 min Memory Verse Tiles, 5 min Quiz