To this vast assembly the king himself read "all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the Lord." 2 Kings 23:2. The royal reader was deeply affected, and he delivered his message with the pathos of a broken heart. His hearers were profoundly moved. The intensity of feeling revealed in the countenance of the king, the solemnity of the message itself, the warning of judgments impending--all these had their effect, and many determined to join with the king in seeking forgiveness.

I overværelse af denne vældige forsamling forelæste kongen selv "alt, hvad der stod i pagtsbogen, som var fundet i Herrens hus". 2Kong. 23,2. Kongen var dybt bevæget, da han læste. Hans hjerte var sønderknust, da han overbragte sit budskab. Dette gjorde et dybt indtryk på hans tilhørere. De stærke følelser, som afspejlede sig i kongens ansigt, selve budskabets alvor og de straffedomme, som kunne ventes, gjorde alt sammen sin virkning, og mange besluttede at følge kongens eksempel og bede om tilgivelse.