Josiah’s Last Deeds and Death

20 After all this(A) that Josiah had prepared for the temple, King Neco of Egypt(B) marched up to fight at Carchemish(C) by the Euphrates, and Josiah went out to confront him. 21 But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, king of Judah?(D) I have not come against you today[a] but I am fighting another dynasty.[b] God told me to hurry. Stop opposing God who is with me; don’t make him destroy you!”

22 But Josiah did not turn away from him; instead, in order to fight with him he disguised himself.[c](E) He did not listen to Neco’s words from the mouth of God, but went to the Valley of Megiddo(F) to fight. 23 The archers shot King Josiah, and he said to his servants, “Take me away, for I am severely wounded!” (G) 24 So his servants took him out of the war chariot, carried him in his second chariot, and brought him to Jerusalem. Then he died, and they buried him in the tomb of his ancestors. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned(H) for Josiah. 25 Jeremiah chanted a dirge(I) over Josiah, and all the male and female singers still speak of Josiah in their dirges today. They established them as a statute for Israel, and indeed they are written in the Dirges.

26 The rest of the events(J) of Josiah’s reign, along with his deeds of faithful love according to what is written in the law of the Lord, 27 and his words, from beginning to end, are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah.

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Footnotes

  1. 35:21 LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg; MT reads Not against you, you today
  2. 35:21 Lit house
  3. 35:22 LXX reads he was determined

The Death of Josiah(A)

20 After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Necho king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish(B) on the Euphrates,(C) and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. 21 But Necho sent messengers to him, saying, “What quarrel is there, king of Judah, between you and me? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told(D) me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”

22 Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised(E) himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Necho had said at God’s command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.

23 Archers(F) shot King Josiah, and he told his officers, “Take me away; I am badly wounded.” 24 So they took him out of his chariot, put him in his other chariot and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs of his ancestors, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him.

25 Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah, and to this day all the male and female singers commemorate Josiah in the laments.(G) These became a tradition in Israel and are written in the Laments.(H)

26 The other events of Josiah’s reign and his acts of devotion in accordance with what is written in the Law of the Lord 27 all the events, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

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