This verse contains a formal listing of the people to whom the king gave the orders about consulting Yahweh. Hilkiah and Shaphan have already been mentioned, but this is the first mention of Ahikam (Jer 26.24; 39.14), Achbor (Jer 26.22; 36.12), and Asaiah. Asaiah is said to be the king’s servant, which probably refers to the special steward of the king who looked after his personal needs. The term servant here has been rendered “attendant” (Revised English Bible) and “minister” (New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).

Ahikam and Achbor are defined only in terms of their fathers’ names. Nothing is said about their occupations. These two prominent individuals are probably the same people mentioned in the book of Jeremiah.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .