2 Chronicles 35:20-27
Neco at Megiddo
Read the passage
20After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt marched up to fight at Carchemish by the Euphrates, and Josiah went out to confront him.
21But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I have not come against you today, but I am fighting another dynasty, and God has told me to hurry. So stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you!”
22Josiah, however, did not turn away from him; instead, in order to engage him in battle, he disguised himself. He did not listen to Neco’s words from the mouth of God, but went to fight him on the Plain of Megiddo.
23There the archers shot King Josiah, who said to his servants, “Take me away, for I am badly wounded!”
24So his servants took him out of his chariot, put him in his second chariot, and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. And Josiah was buried in the tomb of his fathers, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him.
25Then Jeremiah lamented over Josiah, and to this day all the male and female singers recite laments over Josiah. They established them as a statute for Israel, and indeed they are written in the Book of Laments.
26As for the rest of the acts of Josiah and his deeds of loving devotion according to what is written in the Law of the LORD—
27his acts from beginning to end—they are indeed written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
After Josiah has prepared the temple, Neco king of Egypt goes up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates. Josiah marches out to confront him. Neco sends messengers saying that he is not coming against Judah, but against another kingdom, and that God has commanded him to hurry.
Neco warns Josiah not to interfere with God, or God will destroy him. Chronicles says Neco's words came from the mouth of God, but Josiah does not listen. He disguises himself and enters the battle in the plain of Megiddo. Archers shoot him, and he tells his servants to take him away because he is severely wounded.
They carry Josiah from his chariot and place him in a second chariot. He is brought to Jerusalem, where he dies and is buried in the tombs of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourn for him, and Jeremiah sings a lament for Josiah.
The chapter honors Josiah's devotion and records the grief over his death, but it also records a decision made without listening. A faithful life still needs discernment in a particular moment; previous obedience does not make every impulse wise.
Questions
1 Where was Neco going to fight?
AnswerNeco was going to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates.
2 What warning did Neco give Josiah?
AnswerNeco warned Josiah not to interfere with the work God had commanded him to do.
3 How was Josiah wounded?
AnswerJosiah entered the battle in disguise, and archers shot him so severely that his servants carried him away.
4 How did the people respond to Josiah's death?
AnswerJudah and Jerusalem mourned, and Jeremiah composed a lament for Josiah.
What This Means for Us
Josiah has served God faithfully, yet here he disregards a warning that comes from God through an unexpected speaker. His earlier reforms do not make this decision wise. The account mourns his death without concealing his disobedience.
Someone we disagree with may point out a real error. We should not dismiss it simply because of who said it. That does not make every warning a message from God; examine what is being said in light of Scripture and be willing to change course.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for faithful examples, and keep us from trusting our reputation more than your wisdom. Give us discernment when our intentions are good but the path ahead is uncertain. Amen.