Why did Josiah go out to fight against Necho king of Egypt?

Josiah went out to meet Necho because the Egyptian army was passing through the region to fight at Carchemish by the Euphrates. Josiah’s land lay between Egypt and that battlefield, so he tried to stop Necho’s advance. The passage does not say God told Josiah to do this. Instead, it shows Josiah taking on a conflict that was not really his. Necho even sends messengers saying he has no quarrel with Judah and is fighting another house, not Josiah. Josiah still chooses to oppose him in battle.

What does it mean that Necho’s words were “from the mouth of God”?

The passage says Josiah “hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God.” This means God was truly warning Josiah through what Necho said. God had, in some way, given Necho this task and message, and Josiah should have taken it seriously and checked with God instead of brushing it aside. The hard part here is that God’s warning comes through a foreign king, not a prophet in Judah. Still, the writer is clear that God was speaking and Josiah refused to listen.

How did Josiah die in the valley of Megiddo?

Josiah went into battle against Necho in the valley of Megiddo and even disguised himself. During the fighting, the archers focused on him and shot him. Wounded badly, he told his servants to take him away. They moved him from his war chariot into a second chariot and brought him back to Jerusalem. There he died of his wounds. He was buried in one of the tombs of his fathers, showing he was still honoured as a king, even though this last choice of his had been very unwise.

Why did all Judah and Jerusalem mourn so deeply for Josiah?

All Judah and Jerusalem mourned Josiah because he had been a good and godly king who tried to follow what was written in the law of the Lord. Even if many people had not fully followed his reforms, they knew he cared for them and had led them well. When he died, they felt both the loss of a faithful ruler and the fear of what might come next. Their grief was so deep that singers made formal laments about him, and these became an ongoing practice in Israel’s life.

What does it mean that Jeremiah lamented for Josiah?

When it says Jeremiah lamented for Josiah, it means he composed and spoke a sorrowful song or speech grieving the king’s death. Jeremiah saw that Josiah was a rare, godly ruler and understood that his death would be followed by trouble and judgment for the nation. So his lament was not only about a leader he respected, but also about the danger now facing Judah without Josiah’s faithful rule. His sorrow matched the seriousness of what was about to happen in the land.

What does this passage teach about ignoring God’s warnings?

This passage shows that even a good and sincere person can make a serious mistake by not seeking God and not listening when God speaks. Josiah had a long record of faithfulness, yet here he rushed into a fight that was not his and ignored a warning that came “from the mouth of God.” He did not stop to ask the Lord what to do. The result was his early death. It reminds us that no past obedience replaces the need to keep listening to God’s guidance in every new situation.

Who was Necho, and why does he mention God in this story?

Necho was the king of Egypt who marched north to fight at Carchemish by the Euphrates. He sends messengers to Josiah, saying he is not attacking Judah but another house, likely the power he is at war with. Necho adds that God has commanded him to make haste and warns Josiah not to meddle with God, who is with him. This shows that, in God’s plan, even foreign rulers can be used as instruments. In this case, God’s real warning to Josiah comes through Necho’s message.

What were the ‘lamentations’ mentioned about Josiah?

After Josiah died, Jeremiah and others created laments, special songs or poems of grief, to remember him. The passage says the singing men and women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations and made them an ordinance in Israel. That means it became a regular practice to sing about his death and loss, likely at certain times. These laments were written down in a collection that people knew then. It shows how deeply the nation felt his death and wanted future generations to remember it.

How can this passage about Josiah’s death speak to believers today?

This passage reminds believers that past faithfulness does not excuse present stubbornness. Josiah had done much good, but in this battle he did not stop to seek God and would not listen to a warning that truly came from God. It calls us to keep asking for God’s guidance, especially when facing conflict, and not to rush ahead based only on our own plans or courage. It also shows how the loss of a godly leader affects a community and can stir people to think more seriously about their own lives.

2Chr.35.20

2 Chronicles 35:20

KJV

¶ After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.

The Death of Josiah

Josiah Dies in Battle

20 ¶ After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.

But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.

Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.

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

His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.

¶ And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.

Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the Lord,

And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.