Why was the Torah a Chidush to Chilkiyah and others? Menasheh did Teshuvah when he was exiled to Bavel (ibid., 33:12-15). He returned to Yerushalayim, removed the idols and told Yisrael to serve Hashem. Why did he not return the Torah?
Radak (Melachim II, 22:8): Perhaps Menasheh was exiled in his old age, and did not live long after he repented 1 . He eradicated idolatry, but did not put to mind to seek the Sefer Torah. Yoshiyah was six in the [last] days of Menasheh, and had not learned Torah yet.
Refer to 34:14:3:2.
Why did Shafan read the Sefer in front of the king?
Radak (Melachim II, 22:11): Chilkiyah told him to do so, so the king will take counsel how to evade the evil as much as possible.
Why didn't Chilkiyah himself read the Sefer in front of the king?
'Rashi': It is incumbent on the Sofer to read everything in front of the king.
