2 Kings 23:28-37
Judah's Last Kings
28As for the rest of the acts of Josiah and all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?
29During Josiah’s reign, Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt marched up to help the king of Assyria at the Euphrates River. King Josiah went out to confront him, but Neco faced him and killed him at Megiddo.
30From Megiddo his servants carried his body in a chariot, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in place of his father.
31Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah.
32And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done.
33And Pharaoh Neco imprisoned Jehoahaz at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold.
34Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died.
35So Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh Neco, but to meet Pharaoh’s demand he taxed the land and exacted the silver and the gold from the people, each according to his wealth.
36Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Zebidah daughter of Pedaiah; she was from Rumah.
37And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done.
Berean Standard Bible
The rest of Josiah's acts and all his accomplishments are recorded in the book of the chronicles of Judah's kings. Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt goes up to the king of Assyria at the Euphrates, and Josiah goes out to meet him. Neco kills Josiah at Megiddo when Josiah sees him.
Josiah's servants carry his body in a chariot from Megiddo to Jerusalem and bury him in his own tomb. The people of the land take Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anoint him, and make him king. The sudden transition follows one of Judah's strongest reforming kings.
Jehoahaz reigns three months and does evil in the sight of the LORD, as his fathers had done. Pharaoh Neco binds him at Riblah and imposes a tribute on Judah. The short reign ends with a king taken away and a nation charged to pay for the privilege of another ruler.
Neco makes Eliakim son of Josiah king and changes his name to Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim taxes the land to pay Egypt and reigns eleven years. He does evil in the sight of the LORD. The chapter closes with reform behind them and foreign pressure shaping Judah's next decisions.
How We Know
The evidence here is cumulative rather than dependent on one isolated line. The events in 2 Kings 23:28-37 belong to the royal history also preserved in 2 Chronicles and interpreted by the prophets. Where the account names Assyria, Babylon, kings, cities, or temple practice, those details sit within the wider history of the ancient Near East; the parallel biblical records help us test the sequence while retaining the passage's covenant meaning.
Questions
1 Where does Josiah die?
AnswerPharaoh Neco kills Josiah at Megiddo when Josiah goes out to meet him in battle.
2 Who becomes king after Josiah?
AnswerThe people make Josiah's son Jehoahaz king after carrying Josiah's body to Jerusalem for burial.
3 How long does Jehoahaz reign?
AnswerJehoahaz reigns over Judah in Jerusalem for three months before Pharaoh Neco removes him from the throne.
4 What does Pharaoh Neco do to Jehoiakim?
AnswerNeco makes Eliakim king, changes his name to Jehoiakim, and imposes a tribute on Judah.
What This Means for Us
A faithful reign can end suddenly, and a nation can move from reform to foreign control within one chapter. Good work does not make a community immune to future decisions or outside pressure.
Grieve endings honestly, then examine the choices made in the new season. Do not assume that a respected legacy will guide successors unless they are willing to hear and obey the same truth.
Prayer
Lord, help us grieve faithful people without worshiping their legacy. Give successors humility, protect communities under foreign pressure, and keep our families attentive to the choices that shape the next season. Amen.