I have a book on my shelf at home called The Book of Books. It tells about the Bible. It tells how we got the Bible. It gives facts and figures about the translations of the Bible. It gives facts and figures about the original manuscripts of the Bible. If I wanted to know about the Bible I would start my study with a book like that. If I wanted to know what the Bible actually said I would need to get a copy of and read the Bible. That is if I had a copy available to me to read. Long ago there was a king that knew about the Bible but he didn't know the Bible (or what there was of it to know). The king was Josiah of Judah, one of the kings that came long after king David.
Please read, II Kings 22:8-20.
    Josiah's workers who were performing work on the temple, found the scroll in the temple and brought it to him. He had it read in his presence and found it contained the Word of God. Since he hadn't heard it before, he was grieved that they were not obeying the word of God previous to this. He tore his clothes in grief and sent to inquire about the book from a prophetess. When he found out the importance he began to obey it's commands and gave orders that all should obey it. The prophetess said the Lord would bless him for this.
        Now Josiah has heard the truth of the word and he realizes that he can't escape from the reality of its fulfillment. He tore his clothes from grief and submission. He had grief that they weren't following the truth and submission because his heart was melted before the Lord God.
    Previously the law had been handed down by tradition if it was handed down at all. Traditions embellish on the truth and are not complete. That is traditions take away from the truth and they add to the truth. I believe the implication leading up to this Old Testament story is that perversion, that is idolatry, was rampant.
    The Bible through the ages has been removed for a time. Unscrupulous men pervert and take away from the word. When the word is removed we try to rely on man's word or tradition.
The black and white truth on the pages of the Bible just fade into shades of gray. Why are men able to take the word of God away from us at times? It is because of unbelief on the part of the removers and apathy on the part of the believers.
  I have an illustration from my life that I hope will shed some light on what I am trying to say. I have been working as an aircraft mechanic for over 30 years now. Throughout the aircraft industry; civilian and military, we go by the manufacturers instructions to maintain the aircraft. The manufacturer knows the aircraft better than anyone else. They have an intimate concern with the aircraft they manufacture. Their name is on it and they don't want their name to suffer. It is almost like a baby to them. When they manufacture it, it comes to birth. After birth (manufacturing) they usually give some support to those who fly and maintain it, especially the larger aircraft.
    The aircraft mechanic, almost from the beginning, has been able to refer to the manufacturers instructions. Each major component manufacturer, such as engine and propeller, has a stake in it and give support and instructions for their components. The aircraft maintenance manuals are designed to include everything needed to maintain the aircraft except the very basic mechanical skills.