2 Chronicles 35:23

KJV

And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the archers {H3384} shot {H3384} at king {H4428} Josiah {H2977}; and the king {H4428} said {H559} to his servants {H5650}, Have me away {H5674}; for I am sore {H3966} wounded {H2470}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There archers shot King Yoshiyahu. The king said to his servants, "Take me away, because I'm badly wounded."

Berean Standard Bible

There the archers shot King Josiah, who said to his servants, “Take me away, for I am badly wounded!”

American Standard Version

And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 35:23 tragically records the mortal wounding of King Josiah by archers during his ill-fated confrontation with Pharaoh Necho's forces at Megiddo. This pivotal moment marks a sorrowful turning point in Judah's history, as the reign of its last truly righteous king, despite his extensive reforms and profound devotion, concludes in death due to his decision to ignore a divinely-inspired warning and engage in a conflict that was not his to fight.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the tragic climax of King Josiah's otherwise exemplary reign, immediately following his refusal to heed Pharaoh Necho's warning in [2 Chronicles 35:20-22](/2_chronicles/35-20-22 "2 Chronicles 35:20-22 - Pharaoh Necho's Warning to Josiah"). The Chronicler meticulously emphasizes that Necho's message was "from the mouth of God" ([2 Chronicles 35:22](/2_chronicles/35-22 "2 Chronicles 35:22 - Josiah's Refusal to Listen")), thereby underscoring Josiah's direct culpability and the theological weight of his subsequent actions. Verse 23 details the immediate and fatal consequence of this disobedience, leading directly into the account of the king's death and the widespread lamentations that follow in [2 Chronicles 35:24-25](/2_chronicles/35-24-25 "2 Chronicles 35:24-25 - Josiah's Death and Lamentation"). This sorrowful end functions as a stark theological commentary by the Chronicler, illustrating that even a righteous king is not exempt from the severe repercussions of ignoring divine counsel, thus setting the stage for Judah's rapid spiritual and political decline towards the Babylonian exile, as further detailed in [2 Chronicles 36](/2_chronicles/36 "2 Chronicles 36 - The Fall of Judah").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in 2 Chronicles 35 unfold around 609 BC, a period of immense geopolitical upheaval in the ancient Near East. The once-dominant Assyrian Empire was in rapid decline, creating a power vacuum that new empires—Babylon to the east and Egypt to the west—were aggressively vying to fill. Pharaoh Necho II was leading his army northward through Judah to assist the remnants of the Assyrian forces against the burgeoning Babylonian power at Carchemish, located on the Euphrates River. Megiddo, the site of this fateful battle, was a highly strategic plain in northern Judah, historically renowned as a major battleground (e.g., [Judges 5:19](/judges/5-19 "Judges 5:19 - Battle at Megiddo - Deborah and Barak")). King Josiah, a devout monarch who had spearheaded extensive religious reforms, purging idolatry and restoring the Passover celebration throughout Judah (as detailed in [2 Chronicles 34-35](/2_chronicles/34 "2 Chronicles 34 - Josiah's Reforms")), likely saw Necho's passage as an opportunity to assert Judah's independence from foreign influence or to prevent Egyptian encroachment into his territory, aligning with his anti-Assyrian stance. However, his intervention against Necho, who explicitly claimed divine backing for his campaign, proved to be a fatal miscalculation.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative surrounding Josiah's tragic death at Megiddo illuminates several profound theological and narrative themes within the Chronicler's work. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the **consequences of disobedience**, even for a king as devout and righteous as Josiah. His failure to discern or heed God's warning, delivered through the unexpected messenger of Pharaoh Necho, directly precipitates his demise, vividly illustrating that personal piety does not grant immunity from the repercussions of poor judgment or outright defiance of divine instruction. Secondly, the account delves into the complex interplay between **divine sovereignty and human responsibility**. While God's overarching plan for Judah's judgment was undeniably unfolding (a theme that becomes increasingly prominent in later chapters, such as [2 Chronicles 36](/2_chronicles/36 "2 Chronicles 36 - The Fall of Judah")), Josiah's specific decision to engage in this particular battle was his own, with devastating and immediate results. Finally, the Chronicler masterfully employs Josiah's death to emphasize the critical **importance of heeding prophetic warnings** and the inherent **fragility of even a reformed nation** when its leaders fail to walk in complete and discerning obedience to God's revealed will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **shot (Hebrew, _yârâh'_):** This primitive root (יָרָה) primarily means "to flow as water" or "to rain," but transitively, it signifies "to lay or throw," especially an arrow, hence "to shoot." In 2 Chronicles 35:23, its use precisely describes the action of the archers releasing arrows with intent, directly targeting or striking King Josiah. This word emphasizes the direct, deliberate, and lethal nature of the attack, indicating that Josiah was not merely caught in general combat but was specifically hit by an arrow, highlighting the immediate and decisive cause of his critical injury.
* **sore (Hebrew, _mᵉʼôd'_):** Derived from the same root as אוּד, this word (מְאֹד) properly conveys "vehemence" or "might." It functions as an intensifier, meaning "greatly," "very," "exceedingly," or "mightily." When paired with "wounded" (châlâh), it serves to dramatically emphasize the extreme severity of Josiah's injury. This is not a minor wound but one of overwhelming pain and critical gravity, underscoring the immediate and incapacitating nature of the blow that necessitates his urgent removal from the battlefield.
* **wounded (Hebrew, _châlâh'_):** This primitive root (חָלָה) means "to be rubbed or worn," and figuratively, "to be weak, sick, or afflicted." It often implies a serious, critical, or even mortal condition. When Josiah declares, "I am sore wounded," the verb _châlâh_ conveys that his injury has rendered him gravely ill or fatally afflicted. Combined with _mᵉʼôd_, it paints a vivid picture of a king in mortal distress, signaling that his wound is not merely painful but has reached a life-threatening, if not already terminal, stage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the archers shot at king Josiah;":** This initial clause immediately establishes the agents of Josiah's injury—the archers—and the direct, hostile action taken against him. It conveys the suddenness and lethal efficiency of ancient warfare, where a volley of arrows could swiftly incapacitate or kill even a monarch. The focus is squarely on the direct cause of his critical state, emphasizing the specific manner of his undoing.
* **"and the king said to his servants, Have me away;":** This segment reveals Josiah's immediate and urgent response to being struck. His command, "Have me away" (literally, "take me out" or "carry me off"), indicates a clear and immediate recognition of the severity of his wound and the desperate necessity of being removed from the immediate danger and chaos of the battle. It portrays his awareness of his incapacitation and his desire to preserve his life, or at least to die away from the melee.
* **"for I am sore wounded.":** This concluding clause provides the explicit and grave reason for Josiah's urgent command. It unequivocally confirms the critical, indeed mortal, nature of his injury, conveying the king's own assessment that his wound is not merely painful but profoundly debilitating and potentially fatal. This statement underscores the tragic reality of his situation and grimly foreshadows his impending death, marking the end of an era for Judah.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Josiah's death in [2 Chronicles 35:23](/2_chronicles/35-23 "2 Chronicles 35:23 - Josiah's Mortal Wounding") is profoundly shaped by several powerful literary devices. The most overarching is **Tragedy**, portraying the untimely and avoidable demise of a righteous king, beloved by God and his people, due to a singular, fatal error in judgment. This evokes a deep sense of **Pathos**, generating profound pity and sorrow for Josiah, whose commendable zeal for the Lord ultimately led him to a misguided and fatal battle. There is also striking **Irony** in his death: a king who meticulously purged idolatry, restored proper worship, and was renowned for his obedience to the Mosaic Law, dies precisely because he disobeys a warning that the Chronicler explicitly states came "from the mouth of God" ([2 Chronicles 35:22](/2_chronicles/35-22 "2 Chronicles 35:22 - Josiah's Disobedience")). Furthermore, his death at Megiddo, a location steeped in historical significance as a site of decisive battles and later associated with eschatological conflicts, functions as potent **Foreshadowing** of the inevitable doom awaiting Judah. His removal from the scene, as the last truly righteous king, symbolically paves the way for the nation's rapid descent into apostasy and the eventual Babylonian exile, underscoring the fragility of a nation's spiritual well-being when its leadership falters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The death of King Josiah, as depicted in [2 Chronicles 35:23](/2_chronicles/35-23 "2 Chronicles 35:23 - Josiah's Mortal Wounding"), presents a profound theological paradox: a king who "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" ([2 Chronicles 34:2](/2_chronicles/34-2 "2 Chronicles 34:2 - Josiah's Righteous Reign")) and spearheaded a sweeping spiritual revival, nevertheless meets a tragic end due to a specific act of disobedience. This narrative powerfully underscores the Chronicler's consistent theological message: obedience brings blessing, and disobedience, regardless of one's past faithfulness or overall character, inevitably brings consequences. Josiah's zeal, while deeply commendable, was ultimately misguided when he failed to discern or heed a divine warning, even if delivered through an unexpected source like Pharaoh Necho. This highlights the critical importance of humility and discernment, reminding us that even the most devout individuals are not immune to the repercussions of acting outside of God's revealed will or wisdom. His death marks the abrupt end of an era of reform and ushers in a period of rapid decline for Judah, serving as a solemn warning about the cumulative impact of leadership decisions on a nation's spiritual trajectory and its ultimate destiny.

* [2 Kings 23:29-30](/2_kings/23-29-30 "2 Kings 23:29-30 - Parallel Account of Josiah's Death")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before a Fall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic demise of King Josiah in [2 Chronicles 35:23](/2_chronicles/35-23 "2 Chronicles 35:23 - Josiah's Mortal Wounding") offers timeless and sobering lessons for believers today, particularly concerning the nature of discernment, the necessity of humility, and the inevitable consequences of our choices. Josiah's story serves as a poignant reminder that even admirable zeal and a history of profound faithfulness do not exempt us from the crucial need for careful and prayerful discernment of God's specific will in every situation. His failure to heed a warning, which the biblical text explicitly attributes to God's own voice, underscores the critical importance of listening to counsel, even when it comes from unexpected or seemingly unconventional sources, or through individuals we might not typically associate with divine revelation. We are called to cultivate a spirit of profound humility, recognizing that our own wisdom is inherently finite and that presumption, no matter how well-intentioned, can lead to devastating and irreversible outcomes. This passage profoundly challenges us to honestly consider whether our actions are truly aligned with divine leading or if they are primarily driven by our own plans, ambitions, or even a misguided sense of duty. It stands as a sobering reminder that even the most righteous among us are ultimately accountable for their individual decisions, and that ignoring wisdom or clear divine instruction can have profound and far-reaching impacts, not only on ourselves but also on those we lead, influence, or are responsible for.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I actively seek and discern God's voice, especially when it might come through unexpected, unconventional, or seemingly secular channels?**
* **In what specific areas of my life might my zeal, good intentions, or past successes be inadvertently leading me to act presumptuously, rather than in humble and complete reliance on God's clear leading?**
* **What are the potential short-term and long-term consequences of my current significant decisions, and have I diligently sought wise counsel and earnest divine guidance before proceeding?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper and more consistent spirit of humility in my daily walk, actively guarding against the pitfalls of self-reliance, even when I genuinely believe I am acting for God's glory?**

### FAQ
**Why did Josiah, a seemingly righteous king, die in battle?**

Answer: Josiah's death, as described in [2 Chronicles 35:23](/2_chronicles/35-23 "2 Chronicles 35:23 - Josiah's Mortal Wounding"), is presented by the Chronicler as a direct and tragic consequence of his disobedience to a divine warning. Pharaoh Necho, on his way to fight at Carchemish, sent messengers to Josiah, explicitly stating that his war was not against Judah and that God was with him in his endeavor ([2 Chronicles 35:20-21](/2_chronicles/35-20-21 "2 Chronicles 35:20-21 - Pharaoh Necho's Warning")). The text is remarkably clear that Necho's words were, in fact, "from the mouth of God" ([2 Chronicles 35:22](/2_chronicles/35-22 "2 Chronicles 35:22 - Josiah's Refusal")). Despite his overall righteousness and extensive religious reforms, Josiah stubbornly refused to listen, disguised himself, and went to battle at Megiddo, where he was mortally wounded by archers. His death serves as a stark theological lesson that even the most devout and well-intentioned individuals are accountable for their specific choices and can suffer severe consequences for ignoring divine counsel or acting presumptuously against God's revealed will.

**What is the significance of Megiddo in this context?**

Answer: Megiddo, situated in the strategic Jezreel Valley, was a historically vital location and a frequent battleground throughout ancient Israel's history. Its significance in the context of Josiah's death is multi-layered and profound. Historically, it was a place of decisive conflicts, often associated with the very fate of Israel (e.g., [Judges 5:19](/judges/5-19 "Judges 5:19 - Battle at Megiddo - Deborah and Barak")). For Josiah, it became the site of his tragic end, marking an undeniable turning point in Judah's history from a period of spiritual revival to one of rapid decline and eventual judgment. Prophetically, Megiddo (or "Armageddon," a transliteration of "Har Megiddo," meaning "Mount Megiddo") is famously mentioned in [Revelation 16:16](/revelation/16-16 "Revelation 16:16 - Armageddon") as the symbolic gathering place for the final great battle in eschatological literature. While the battle in [2 Chronicles 35](/2_chronicles/35 "2 Chronicles 35 - Josiah's Final Years") is a specific historical event, its setting at Megiddo adds a profound layer of somber resonance, connecting Josiah's personal tragedy to a broader, enduring theme of conflict, divine judgment, and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes that echoes throughout the entire biblical narrative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic death of King Josiah in [2 Chronicles 35:23](/2_chronicles/35-23 "2 Chronicles 35:23 - Josiah's Mortal Wounding"), though a direct consequence of his own act of disobedience, paradoxically serves to highlight the profound necessity and unique nature of Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice. Josiah, a king who "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" ([2 Chronicles 34:2](/2_chronicles/34-2 "2 Chronicles 34:2 - Josiah's Righteous Reign")) and led a sweeping spiritual revival, ultimately failed to heed clear divine counsel, leading to his fatal wounding and the subsequent unraveling of Judah's spiritual and political stability. His death, therefore, stands as a poignant testament to the inherent fallibility of even the best human leaders and the absolute inability of human righteousness, however zealous or well-intentioned, to fully secure salvation or avert divine judgment. In stark and glorious contrast, Jesus Christ, the ultimate and eternal King, perfectly obeyed the Father's will in every respect, even to the agonizing point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Unlike Josiah, whose death was a consequence of a misguided battle and a failure to listen, Christ's death was a deliberate, preordained, and fully atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Josiah's death brought widespread lamentation and marked the beginning of Judah's rapid decline towards exile ([2 Chronicles 35:25](/2_chronicles/35-25 "2 Chronicles 35:25 - Lamentations for Josiah")); Christ's death, followed by His glorious resurrection, brought profound hope, eternal life, and the promise of complete salvation to all who believe ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love Demonstrated") and [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message")). Josiah's story, therefore, serves as a poignant and necessary backdrop, magnifying the unparalleled perfection, redemptive power, and ultimate sufficiency of Christ's life, death, and resurrection, which alone can truly deliver humanity from the pervasive consequences of sin and disobedience.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 22:34

And a [certain] man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

2 Chronicles 18:33

And a [certain] man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

2 Kings 8:29

And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.

Lamentations 3:13

He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins.

2 Kings 9:24

And Jehu drew a bow with his full strength, and smote Jehoram between his arms, and the arrow went out at his heart, and he sunk down in his chariot.

Genesis 49:23

The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot [at him], and hated him: