The gravity of the situation and the respect in which he held the prophetess led him to choose as his messengers to her the first men of the kingdom. "Go ye," he bade them, 399 "inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us." 2 Kings 22:13.

Situationens alvor og kongens ærbødighed for profetinden fik ham til at udpege landets ypperste mænd til sine sendebud. Han sagde til dem: "Gå hen og rådspørg på mine og folkets og hele Judas vegne Herren om indholdet af denne bog, der er fundet; thi stor er vreden, der er blusset op hos Herren imod os, fordi vore fædre ikke har adlydt ordene i denne bog og ikke har handlet nøje efter, hvad der står skrevet deri." 2Kong. 22,13.