King Josiah orchestrated an unprecedented Passover celebration in Jerusalem, meticulously organizing the priests and Levites and providing vast resources for the offerings. Following this, he confronted Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Megiddo, disregarding a divine warning conveyed by Necho. Josiah was mortally wounded in the battle, leading to his death and widespread mourning throughout Judah.
To the L'vi'im who were teaching all Isra'el and were holy for ADONAI he said, "Put the holy ark in the house which Shlomo the son of David, king of Isra'el, built; after this, you will not have to carry it again. Now serve ADONAI your God and his people Isra'el.
Stand in the Holy Place according to the divisions of the clans of your kinsmen the ordinary people, with part of a clan of L'vi'im serving each clan [of Isra'el].
Yoshiyahu gave the ordinary people, to all who were present, 30,000 lambs and kids from the flock, all of them for Pesach offerings, and 3,000 bulls. These were from the king's personal property.
Also his leading men voluntarily gave to the people and to the cohanim and L'vi'im. Hilkiyah, Z'kharyahu and Yechi'el, the rulers of the house of God, gave the cohanim 2,600 [lambs and kids] and 300 oxen for Pesach offerings.
Konanyah, his brothers Sh'ma'yah and N'tan'el, and Hashavyah, Ye'i'el and Yozavad, the head L'vi'im, gave the L'vi'im 5,000 [lambs and kids] and 500 oxen for Pesach offerings.
They removed the portions to be burned, in order to give them to the divisions of the clans of the ordinary people to present to ADONAI, as written in the scroll of Moshe. They did the same with the oxen.
They roasted the Pesach lamb over fire, according to the rule; while they boiled the holy offerings in pots, kettles and pans and carried them quickly to all the ordinary people.
Afterwards, they prepared food for themselves and for the cohanim; because the cohanim, the descendants of Aharon, were busy till nightfall offering the fat and the portions to be burned up; this is why the L'vi'im prepared food both for themselves and for the cohanim the descendants of Aharon.
The singers the sons of Asaf were at their posts, as ordered by David - Asaf, Heman and Y'dutun the king's seer. The gatekeepers were at every gate, and they did not need to leave their posts, because their brothers the L'vi'im prepared [food] for them.
Thus all the service of ADONAI was prepared the same day for observing Pesach and offering burnt offerings on the altar of ADONAI, in accordance with the order of King Yoshiyahu.
No Pesach like that had been kept in Isra'el since the days of Sh'mu'el the prophet, and none of the kings of Isra'el observe a Pesach such as Yoshiyahu observed, with the cohanim, L'vi'im, all Y'hudah, those of Isra'el who were present, and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim.
After all this, and after Yoshiyahu had restored the house, N'kho king of Egypt went up to attack Kark'mish by the Euphrates River. King Yoshiyahu went out to oppose him;
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."
Nevertheless, Yoshiyahu was determined to go after him. He disguised himself in order to fight against him and wouldn't listen to what N'kho said, which was from the mouth of God. Then he went to fight in the Megiddo Valley.
So his servants took him out of the chariot, transferred him to his second chariot and brought him to Yerushalayim. But he died, and he was buried in the tombs of his ancestors. All Y'hudah and Yerushalayim mourned Yoshiyahu.
Yirmeyahu composed a lament for Yoshiyahu; and all the men and women singers have sung of Yoshiyahu in their laments till this day. They made singing them a law in Isra'el, and they are recorded in the Laments.
also his accomplishments from beginning to end, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Isra'el and Y'hudah.
Study Notes for 2 Chronicles 35
Verse 1
This Passover occurred late in Josiah's reign (v. 19), likely following the discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Chr 34:14) and the subsequent nationwide reforms. The celebration strictly adhered to the Mosaic requirements, marking a high point of spiritual renewal.
Verse 3
The instruction to 'Put the holy ark in the house' suggests the Ark had been moved, perhaps for safekeeping during Manasseh's idolatrous reign or during the recent temple repairs. Placing it back symbolizes the complete restoration of proper, legitimate worship.
Verse 4
The organization of the priests and Levites 'after your courses' follows the detailed administrative plans established by King David (1 Chr 24-26) and reinforced by Solomon, ensuring orderly and efficient temple service.
Verse 7
Josiah's personal contribution of 30,000 animals demonstrates the immense scale of the celebration and the king's commitment to ensuring that all the people could fulfill the requirements of the Law, particularly those who traveled great distances.
Verse 8
The generous contributions from the royal officials, priests, and Levite leaders underscore the widespread support for Josiah's reforms and the communal nature of the restored worship.
Verse 12
The careful separation and distribution of the offerings ensured that the sacrifices were handled according to the specific legal instructions found in 'the book of Moses' (the Pentateuch, cf. Lev 1:1-17).
Verse 13
While the Passover lamb had to be roasted (Exod 12:8-9), other accompanying peace or fellowship offerings ('the other holy offerings') could be cooked by boiling ('sod'), illustrating the careful distinction made between different types of sacrifices.
Verse 18
This verse highlights the unparalleled nature of Josiah's Passover. The comparison to the days of Samuel emphasizes that such a comprehensive, nationwide observance had not occurred since the early monarchy, marking a spiritual high point for Judah.
Verse 20
This transition marks the tragic end of the godly king. Pharaoh Necho II was marching north (609 BC) to aid Assyria against the rising power of Babylon. Josiah likely intervened to prevent Egypt from aiding Assyria, hoping to secure Judah's independence from foreign powers.
Verse 21
Necho's claim that 'God commanded me' is significant. The Chronicler suggests that, even though Necho was a pagan, his military action was divinely directed, making Josiah's decision to intercept him an act of disobedience against a prophetic warning.
Verse 22
Josiah’s refusal to heed the warning and his use of disguise show his stubborn determination to fight. His death in the Valley of Megiddo (Armageddon) became a symbol of national tragedy (cf. Zech 12:11).
Verse 25
The prophet Jeremiah, who was active during Josiah’s reign, composed a formal lament (dirge) for the king, emphasizing the depth of national sorrow. Josiah’s death was a catastrophic loss, signaling the imminent collapse of the kingdom.
Verse 26
The Chronicler concludes the account by emphasizing Josiah’s piety—his 'goodness' was measured precisely 'according to that which was written in the law of the LORD,' confirming his status as a truly righteous reformer.
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