2 Kings 22:3

It came to pass in the eighteenth year.

This was when king Josiah was twenty-six years old. It is probable that all these events did not occur in. single year, but the year in which they began, or culminated, is named. The pious training of the young king now began to show fruit. Surrounded by great officers who were zealous for the Law, he desired to effect. full restoration of the ancient religion, long corrupted by the idolatry which had been favored by the former kings.

Shaphan the scribe.

This great officer is often mentioned by Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 26:24), and his family continued prominent in Israel. When Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem he left Gedaliah, the grandson of Shaphan, as governor of the country (2 Kings 25:22). Several of Shaphan's sons are named as occupying prominent positions.