1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah from Bozkath.
2 He did what was pleasing in the lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right.
3 In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and grandson of Meshullam, the court secretary, to the Temple of the lord. He told him,
4 “Go to Hilkiah the high priest and have him count the money the gatekeepers have collected from the people at the lord’s Temple.
5 Entrust this money to the men assigned to supervise the restoration of the lord’s Temple. Then they can use it to pay workers to repair the Temple.
6 They will need to hire carpenters, builders, and masons. Also have them buy the timber and the finished stone needed to repair the Temple.
7 But don’t require the construction supervisors to keep account of the money they receive, for they are honest and trustworthy men.”