2 Chronicles 35:23

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Context of 2 Chronicles 35:23

This verse describes the tragic wounding of King Josiah, one of Judah's most righteous and beloved monarchs. Josiah was renowned for his extensive spiritual reforms, purging idolatry from the land and restoring the worship of the LORD (2 Chronicles 34:3-7). However, his reign ended abruptly and tragically due to a fatal decision.

In the immediate preceding verses (2 Chronicles 35:20-22), Pharaoh Necho of Egypt was marching through Judah to fight against Carchemish on the Euphrates River. Necho sent messengers to Josiah, warning him not to interfere, explicitly stating that his war was not against Judah but against another power, and that God was with him (Necho) in this endeavor. Despite this clear warning, which the text implies was "from the mouth of God" (2 Chronicles 35:22), Josiah disguised himself and went to battle Necho at Megiddo. Verse 23 details the immediate consequence of this ill-advised engagement, as archers struck the king, leading to his fatal injury.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Tragic End of a Righteous King: Josiah's death is particularly poignant because he was a king who "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 34:2) and led significant spiritual revival. His demise marks a severe turning point for Judah, ushering in a period of decline that would eventually lead to the Babylonian exile.
  • Consequences of Ignoring Divine Warning: Despite his piety, Josiah's refusal to heed Necho's warning—which the Chronicler presents as divinely inspired—led directly to his death. This underscores the principle that even godly individuals can suffer severe consequences when they act against wisdom or what may be God's direct or indirect counsel.
  • Human Fallibility: Even the most devout and well-intentioned leaders are not immune to making critical errors in judgment. Josiah's decision to engage in a battle that was not his to fight demonstrates the importance of discernment and humility, even when one feels strong in faith.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sore wounded" in the KJV translates the Hebrew חָלָה מְאֹד (halah me'od), which literally means "sick greatly" or "severely ill/wounded." This emphasizes the critical and immediate nature of Josiah's injury, indicating that it was not a minor wound but one that would prove fatal. The KJV's rendering effectively conveys the intensity of his suffering and the gravity of the situation.

Practical Application

The narrative of Josiah's death offers several timeless lessons:

  • Discernment in Counsel: Wisdom often involves listening to counsel, even if it comes from unexpected sources or individuals who are not overtly godly. The source of the message should not automatically negate its truth or divine origin.
  • Avoiding Presumption: Even when serving God, it is crucial not to act presumptuously or to rush into situations without clear divine leading. Josiah's zeal may have led him to overstep his bounds, resulting in tragic consequences.
  • Accountability for Decisions: This passage reminds us that even individuals with a strong record of righteousness are accountable for their specific choices and actions. Good intentions do not always prevent negative outcomes when wisdom or divine instruction is ignored.

Josiah's story serves as a poignant reminder that while God honors faithfulness, human disobedience and poor judgment can have devastating, irreversible impacts, even on the most righteous among us. For a parallel account of Josiah's death, see 2 Kings 23:29-30.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 22:34 (4 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • 2 Kings 9:24 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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