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Commentary on 2 Chronicles 35 verses 20–27
It was thirteen years from Josiah's famous passover to his death. During this time, we may hope, thing went well in his kingdom, that he prospered, and religion flourished; yet we are not entertained with the pleasing account of those years, but they are passed over in silence, because the people, for all this, were not turned from the love of their sins nor God from the fierceness of his anger. The next news therefore we hear of Josiah is that he is cut off in the midst of his days and usefulness, before he is full forty years old. We had this sad story, Kg2 23:29, Kg2 23:30. Here it is somewhat more largely related. That appears here, more than did there, which reflects such blame on Josiah and such praise on the people as one would not have expected.
I. Josiah was a very good prince, yet he was much to be blamed for his rashness and presumption in going out to war against the king of Egypt without cause or call. It was bad enough, as it appeared in the Kings, that he meddled with strife which belonged not to him. But here it looks worse; for, it seems, the king of Egypt sent ambassadors to him, to warn him against this enterprise, Ch2 35:21.
1.The king of Egypt argued with Josiah, (1.) From principles of justice. He professed that he had no desire to do him any hurt, and therefore it was unfair, against common equity and the law of nations, for Josiah to take up arms against him. If even a righteous man engage in an unrighteous cause, let him not expect to prosper. God is no respecter of persons. See Pro 3:30; Pro 25:8. (2.) From principles of religion: "God is with me; nay, He commanded me to make haste, and therefore, if thou retard my motions, thou meddlest with God." It cannot be that the king of Egypt only pretended this (as Sennacherib did in a like case, Kg2 18:25), hoping thereby to make Josiah desist, because he knew he had a veneration for the word of God; for it is said here (Ch2 35:22) that the words of Necho were from the mouth of God. We must therefore suppose that either by a dream, or by a strong impulse upon his spirit which he had reason to think was from God, or by Jeremiah or some other prophet, he had ordered him to make war upon the king of Assyria. (3.) From principles of policy: "That he destroy thee not; it is at thy peril if thou engage against one that has not only a better army and a better cause, but God on his side."
2.It was not in wrath to Josiah, whose heart was upright with the Lord his God, but in wrath to a hypocritical nation, who were unworthy of so good a king, that he was so far infatuated as not to hearken to these fair reasonings and desist from his enterprise. He would not turn his face from him, but went in person and fought the Egyptian army in the valley of Megiddo, Ch2 35:22. If perhaps he could not believe that the king of Egypt had a command from God to do what he did, yet, upon his pleading such a command, he ought to have consulted the oracles of God before he went out against him. His not doing that was his great fault, and of fatal consequence. In this matter he walked not in the ways of David his father; for, had it been his case, he would have enquired of the Lord, Shall I go up? Wilt thou deliver them into my hands? How can we think to prosper in our ways if we do not acknowledge God in them?
II. The people were a very wicked people, yet they were much to be commended for lamenting the death of Josiah as they did. That Jeremiah lamented him I do not wonder; he was the weeping prophet, and plainly foresaw the utter ruin of his country following upon the death of this good king. But it is strange to find that all Judah and Jerusalem, that stupid senseless people, mourned for him (Ch2 35:24), contrived how to have their mourning excited by singing men and singing women, how to have it spread through the kingdom (they made an ordinance in Israel that the mournful ditties penned on this sad occasion should be learned and sung by all sorts of people), and also how to have the remembrance of it perpetuated: these elegies were inserted in the collections of state poems; they are written in the Lamentations. Hereby it appeared, 1. That they had some respect to their good prince, and that, though they did not cordially comply with him in all his good designs, they could not but greatly honour him. Pious useful men will be manifested in the consciences even of those that will not be influenced by their example; and many that will not submit to the rules of serious godliness themselves yet cannot but give it their good word and esteem it in others. Perhaps those lamented Josiah when he was dead that were not thankful to God for him while he lived. The Israelites murmured at Moses and Aaron while they were with them and spoke sometimes of stoning them, and yet, when they died, they mourned for them many days. We are often taught to value mercies by the loss of them which, when we enjoyed them, we did not prize as we ought. 2. That they had some sense of their own danger now that he was gone. Jeremiah told them, it is likely, of the evil they might now expect to come upon them, from which he was taken away; and so far they credited what he said that they lamented the death of him that was their defence. Note, Many will more easily be persuaded to lament the miseries that are coming upon them than to take the proper way by universal reformation to prevent them, will shed tears for their troubles, but will not be prevailed upon to part with their sins. But godly sorrow worketh repentance and that repentance will be to salvation.
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SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 35:20 marks a pivotal and profoundly tragic turning point in the otherwise exemplary reign of King Josiah, one of Judah's most righteous monarchs. Immediately following a period of unprecedented spiritual revival, national restoration, and a meticulously observed Passover, this verse abruptly shifts the narrative to Josiah's ill-fated decision to confront Pharaoh Necho of Egypt. It sets the stage for the untimely death of a king who had diligently led his people back to the Lord, highlighting the complex interplay of human agency, geopolitical realities, and the often-unforeseen consequences of even well-intentioned but misguided actions.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The narrative of 2 Chronicles 35:20 employs several powerful literary devices to heighten its impact. Juxtaposition is profoundly evident, contrasting the spiritual peak of Josiah's reign—marked by the meticulously "prepared the temple" and the great Passover—with the immediate onset of a military blunder. This creates a profound sense of Irony, as the most righteous king since David meets a tragic end not in defense of his faith, but through an apparently misguided political entanglement. The verse also functions as a stark Foreshadowing, setting the stage for Josiah's death in the very next verses, a death that would signal the rapid decline and ultimate destruction of Judah. Furthermore, the detailed mention of "Carchemish by Euphrates" grounds the narrative in Geopolitical Realism, emphasizing that even spiritual leaders operate within a complex world of political alliances and conflicts, where human decisions have tangible and often dire consequences that transcend purely spiritual considerations.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The tragic account of Josiah's death in 2 Chronicles 35:20, occurring at the zenith of his spiritual reforms, presents a profound theological paradox. It challenges the simplistic notion that righteousness automatically guarantees earthly protection from all adverse outcomes. Instead, it underscores the critical importance of wisdom, discernment, and humility in leadership, even for those deeply committed to God. Josiah's zeal, while commendable in his reforms, appears to have overstepped into a realm of presumption in military strategy, leading him to ignore a warning that, whether from a pagan king or not, carried divine authority (as indicated in the subsequent verses). This narrative serves as a powerful reminder that God's sovereignty operates through and often despite human choices, and that even the most devout individuals are not immune to the consequences of ill-advised actions. It highlights the ongoing human struggle to accurately discern God's will and to act in accordance with divine wisdom, rather than personal conviction or nationalistic fervor, emphasizing that even good intentions do not negate the need for divine guidance.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Josiah's story, culminating in the tragic events initiated by 2 Chronicles 35:20, offers profound lessons for believers today. It serves as a sober reminder that even those with the purest intentions and a proven track record of faithfulness can make critical errors in judgment, leading to severe consequences. Our zeal for God's kingdom, while vital, must always be tempered with wisdom, humility, and a relentless pursuit of discernment. It underscores that past successes or personal righteousness do not grant immunity from the need for ongoing, prayerful reliance on God's guidance in every decision, especially those with significant implications for ourselves and others. We are called to be vigilant, to test all counsel (even from unexpected or unconventional sources), and to recognize that divine truth can emerge from surprising channels. Ultimately, Josiah's narrative calls us to a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty, human responsibility, and the complex, often unpredictable, outworking of divine plans in a fallen world, urging us to seek God's wisdom above all else.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Josiah go to battle against Necho if Necho wasn't attacking Judah?
Answer: Josiah's motivation for confronting Necho is not explicitly stated in the text, leading to scholarly debate. Several factors likely contributed to his decision. Geopolitically, Judah was situated between major powers. Assyria, once dominant, was in decline, and Babylon was rising. Egypt, under Necho, was attempting to prop up the Assyrian Empire to serve as a buffer against Babylonian expansion. Josiah may have seen himself as loyal to the declining Assyrian power, or perhaps he viewed Egypt's movement through his territory as an infringement on Judah's sovereignty or a threat to his own independent position. Some scholars suggest Josiah may have been acting out of a zealous misinterpretation of his role in God's plan, perhaps believing he was divinely ordained to prevent the passage of a foreign army, even if that army's immediate objective was not Judah. The subsequent verse, 2 Chronicles 35:21, reveals Necho's explicit warning that God was with him in his mission, a warning Josiah tragically disregarded, leading to his fatal encounter at Megiddo.
Was Josiah's death a punishment from God, given his righteousness?
Answer: This is a complex theological question. While Josiah was undoubtedly one of Judah's most righteous kings, faithfully leading the nation in reform and covenant renewal (2 Chronicles 34:2), his death is not presented as a direct punishment for his overall piety. Rather, it appears to be a consequence of a specific, ill-advised decision to intervene in a conflict that was not his. The prophetess Huldah had indeed prophesied disaster for Judah (2 Chronicles 34:24-28), but she also promised Josiah that he would be gathered to his fathers in peace and not see the disaster. While Josiah died in battle, the Chronicler emphasizes that he was "gathered to his fathers" (2 Chronicles 35:24), implying that he was spared the full horror of Judah's eventual destruction. His death, therefore, highlights the reality that even the righteous are subject to the consequences of their choices, and that human folly can have tragic outcomes, even when not a direct divine judgment for overall unrighteousness.
How does this event relate to Huldah's prophecy about disaster for Judah?
Answer: Huldah's prophecy in 2 Chronicles 34:24-28 declared that disaster would come upon Judah because of their idolatry and unfaithfulness. However, because Josiah had humbled himself and repented, God promised that this disaster would not occur during his lifetime; Josiah would be gathered to his fathers in peace. While Josiah's death in battle at Megiddo was violent, the Chronicler frames it as being "gathered to his fathers" (2 Chronicles 35:24), implying that he was spared from witnessing the full extent of the impending national catastrophe. Thus, Josiah's death, though tragic, marked the removal of the righteous king who had temporarily held back God's judgment from Judah. His demise opened the door for the rapid moral and spiritual decline of the nation, directly paving the way for the fulfillment of Huldah's prophecy in the subsequent reigns and the eventual Babylonian exile, underscoring the severity of Judah's unrepentant sin.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic end of King Josiah, despite his profound righteousness and zealous reforms, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Josiah's fatal misstep at Carchemish, a consequence of human presumption and a failure to discern divine will, starkly contrasts with the perfect obedience and unwavering discernment of Christ. While Josiah, a good king, met an untimely death due to his own flawed judgment, Jesus, the perfect King, willingly embraced death, not as a consequence of His own error, but as the ultimate redemptive sacrifice for the sins of humanity (John 1:29). Josiah's reign, though a spiritual high point, was ultimately temporary and ended in sorrow, highlighting the limitations of even the best human leadership. In contrast, Christ's kingdom is eternal and His reign brings about a complete and lasting restoration, not merely of a temple, but of human hearts and souls, establishing a new covenant through His blood (Hebrews 9:11-12). Where Josiah failed to heed a warning, Jesus perfectly submitted to His Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:8), demonstrating the true path of divine wisdom and perfect obedience. The sorrow and decline that followed Josiah's death are reversed in Christ, who, through His resurrection, establishes a kingdom that will never end, bringing true peace and eternal life to all who believe and securing ultimate victory over sin and death (Revelation 11:15).