And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,
In the eighteenth year of king Josiah. Previous to this period he had commenced the work of national reformation. The preliminary steps had been already taken-not only the builders were employed, but money had been brought by all the people, and received by the Levites at the door, and various other preparations had been made. But the course of this narrative turns on one interesting incident, which happened in the 18th year of Josiah's reign, and hence, that date is specified. In fact, the whole land was thoroughly purified from every object and all traces of idolatry. The king now addressed himself to the repair and embellishment of the temple, and gave directions to Hilkiah, the high priest, to take a general survey, in order to ascertain what was necessary be done (see the notes at 2 Chronicles 34:8-15).