Thus Josiah, from his earliest manhood, had endeavored to take advantage of his position as king to exalt to principles of God's holy law. And now, while Shaphan the scribe was reading to him out of the book of the law, the king discerned in this volume a treasure of knowledge, a powerful ally, in the work of reform he so much desired to see wrought in the land. He resolved to walk in the light of its counsels, and also to do all in his power to acquaint his people with its teachings and to lead them, if possible, to cultivate reverence and love for the law of heaven.

Således udnyttede Josias lige fra sin tidligste ungdom sin stilling som landets konge til at ophøje Guds hellige lovs principper. Mens den lovkyndige Sjafan læste op for ham af lovbogen, blev kongen klar over, at dette værk var en skatkiste, som var fuld af kundskaber, og at den kunne blive ham en værdifuld hjælp i det reformarbejde, som han så inderligt ønskede at gennemføre i landet. Han besluttede at vandre i lyset fra denne bogs blade og at gøre alt for at oplyse folket om dens indhold og om muligt tilskynde dem til at vise ærbødighed for og kærlighed til Himmelens lov.