Asaiah

Biblical Account

Asaiah was an official who served King Josiah. The Korean Revised Version renders his title as "the king's attendant" (a servant who waited on the king in close attendance), and the New Korean Revised Version as "the king's servant"; the King James Version reads "a servant of the king's." His name is understood to mean "the LORD has made."

In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, while the Temple in Jerusalem was being repaired, the high priest Hilkiah found the book of the law. When the scribe Shaphan read the book before the king, the king tore his clothes. The king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah to inquire of the LORD concerning the words of this book (2 Kings 22:12-13). They went to the prophetess Huldah, who lived in the Second Quarter of Jerusalem (2 Kings 22:14).

Huldah declared that the disasters written in the book of the law would come upon Jerusalem. Because the king had humbled himself, however, he would not see that disaster with his own eyes but would be gathered to his grave in peace. The delegation brought this word back to the king (2 Kings 22:15-20). Josiah then renewed the covenant and began a reform that removed idolatry (2 Kings 23).

2 Chronicles 34:20 records the same event. Asaiah's name and title are the same as in 2 Kings, while another member of the delegation is listed as "Abdon the son of Micah." Scripture says nothing further about Asaiah beyond this event.

Significance Within Scripture

Asaiah is never shown speaking or acting on his own. He appears only as a member of the delegation sent at the king's command to seek the will of God. Nevertheless, the delegation's visit became a pivotal occasion that led to Josiah's religious reform. The New Testament does not mention Asaiah.

Interpretations and Points of Discussion

• The expression "servant of the king": Some hold that this Hebrew expression, literally "the king's servant," is not merely a description of an attendant but a title designating a particular royal office.
• Other persons of the same name: First Chronicles mentions several men bearing the same name, including a chief among the descendants of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:36), a Levite descended from Merari (1 Chronicles 6:30), the firstborn of the Shilonites (1 Chronicles 9:5), and a chief of the sons of Merari summoned in David's time to help bring up the ark of the covenant (1 Chronicles 15:6, 15:11). These are different people from Asaiah the official of Josiah.
• The book of the law that was found: The view that this book was all or part of Deuteronomy is widely known in scholarship, but the text does not specify the book's extent.
• The visit to Huldah: The fact that the delegation went to a prophetess is sometimes cited in discussions of the ordination of women. Those in favor point to it as a biblical example of women's ministry. Those opposed hold that the Old Testament prophetic office differs in nature from the offices of the church.

In the Korean Church

Sermons and Sunday school lessons devoted specifically to Asaiah are rare. He is usually mentioned as one member of the delegation in sermons on Josiah's discovery of the book of the law and his reforms.