2 Chronicles 35:21

But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? [I come] not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from [meddling with] God, who [is] with me, that he destroy thee not.

But he sent {H7971} ambassadors {H4397} to him, saying {H559}, What have I to do with thee, thou king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}? I come not against thee this day {H3117}, but against the house {H1004} wherewith I have war {H4421}: for God {H430} commanded {H559} me to make haste {H926}: forbear {H2308} thee from meddling with God {H430}, who is with me, that he destroy {H7843} thee not.

but N'kho sent envoys to him with this message: "Do I have a conflict with you, king of Y'hudah? No, I am not coming today to attack you, but to attack the dynasty with whom I am at war. God has ordered to speed me along; so don't meddle with God, who is with me; so that he won't destroy you."

But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, โ€œWhat is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I have not come against you today, but I am fighting another dynasty. God told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you!โ€

But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war; and God hath commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.

Commentary

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 35:21 (KJV)

2 Chronicles 35:21 records a pivotal and tragic moment in the reign of King Josiah of Judah. It presents the direct warning issued by Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt to Josiah, urging him not to intervene in a war that Necho claimed was divinely ordained.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is set during the late 7th century BC, a tumultuous period in the ancient Near East. The once-mighty Assyrian Empire was collapsing, and two emerging powers, Babylon and Egypt, were vying for dominance. Pharaoh Necho II was marching his army northward through Judah, intending to assist the remnants of the Assyrian army against the rising Babylonian threat at Carchemish. King Josiah, a devout reformer who had led a significant spiritual revival in Judah, inexplicably chose to intercept Necho at Megiddo. This decision, as the text reveals, was contrary to a direct warning from the Egyptian pharaoh, who claimed divine instruction. The Battle of Megiddo would lead to the tragic and untimely death of Josiah, one of Judah's most righteous kings, a significant turning point for the nation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Warning from an Unexpected Source: The most striking aspect of this verse is that God's warning to Josiah comes through a pagan ruler, Pharaoh Necho. Necho explicitly states, "God commanded me to make haste," and warns Josiah, "forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not." While the Chronicler implies this was indeed a message from God (2 Chron 35:22), Josiah's failure to heed it highlights the importance of discerning and obeying divine instruction, regardless of the messenger.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Josiah's refusal to listen to Necho's warning led directly to his death (as described in 2 Chronicles 35:22-24). This serves as a stark reminder that even righteous individuals can face severe consequences for acting outside of God's revealed will.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nations: The passage subtly underscores God's ultimate sovereignty, even over pagan rulers and international conflicts. Necho's claim that God commanded him to move swiftly suggests that God was orchestrating events for His own purposes, regardless of Judah's involvement.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "What have I to do with thee?" (Hebrew: ืžึทื”ึพืœึดึผื™ ื•ึธืœึธืšึฐ - *mah li valach*) is a common biblical idiom expressing a desire for separation or non-involvement, often implying no common ground or a strong objection to interference. It conveys Necho's desire for Josiah to stay out of a conflict that did not concern Judah directly. The declaration "God commanded me" (ืึฑืœึนื”ึดื™ื ืึธืžึทืจ ืœึดื™ - *Elohim amar li*) is significant, as it uses *Elohim*, the general Hebrew term for God, which could refer to Necho's own deities or, as the Chronicler implies, the true God of Israel speaking through him.

Practical Application

This verse offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Listen for God's Voice, Anywhere: God can speak through unexpected channels, even through those who do not overtly worship Him. We must cultivate a spirit of discernment and humility to recognize divine guidance, even when it comes from surprising sources. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of heeding divine warnings, a theme echoed in other biblical accounts such as God speaking through Balaam's donkey.
  2. Obedience is Paramount: Even good intentions or a desire to protect one's nation cannot justify disobedience to God's clear (even if indirect) instruction. Josiah's zeal led him to disregard a warning that proved to be from the Lord.
  3. Avoid Unnecessary Conflict: Nechoโ€™s message was clear: his fight was not with Judah. Sometimes, wisdom dictates avoiding conflicts that are not ours to fight, especially when intervention could bring harm or goes against a sense of divine leading.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 18:25 (3 votes)

    Am I now come up without the LORD against this place to destroy it? The LORD said to me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.

  • 2 Chronicles 25:19 (3 votes)

    Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to [thine] hurt, that thou shouldest fall, [even] thou, and Judah with thee?

  • John 2:4 (2 votes)

    Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

  • Isaiah 36:10 (2 votes)

    And am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? the LORD said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.

  • Matthew 8:29 (2 votes)

    And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

  • 2 Samuel 16:10 (2 votes)

    And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?