Why did Josiah go out against Pharaoh Necho and die at Megiddo?

Josiah went out to confront Pharaoh Necho as the Egyptian army was passing through to fight at the Euphrates. The passage does not spell out all Josiah’s motives, but it shows he tried to stop Necho’s advance and was killed in battle at Megiddo. Other verses hint that Josiah did this without clear direction from God. His death shows that even a very godly leader can suffer when he moves ahead in his own plans instead of seeking God’s guidance.

Who is Jehoahaz, and why did the people make him king after Josiah?

Jehoahaz was one of Josiah’s sons. After Josiah’s death, “the people of the land” took Jehoahaz, anointed him, and made him king in his father’s place. He was not the oldest son, so their choice seems to show what kind of ruler they wanted. They picked him quickly, probably hoping he would carry on Josiah’s strength and protect them. But instead of following Josiah’s faith, Jehoahaz did what was evil in God’s sight, like the earlier wicked kings.

What does it mean that Jehoahaz did evil in the sight of the Lord?

When the passage says Jehoahaz "did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord," it means he turned away from God’s ways and likely brought back idol worship and sinful practices. This is the same wording used for kings like Manasseh and Amon. So even though his father Josiah had removed idols and restored true worship, Jehoahaz quickly led the country back into sin. This shows that a godly parent’s faith does not automatically pass to the child. Each person must choose to follow God.

Why did Pharaoh Necho put Jehoahaz in chains at Riblah?

Pharaoh Necho put Jehoahaz in chains at Riblah so that he would not continue to reign in Jerusalem. Riblah, in the land of Hamath, was a strategic place where foreign powers could control the region. Jehoahaz seems to have gone out, likely with some military intent related to Egypt’s movements. Pharaoh seized him there, bound him, and later took him to Egypt. This act showed that Judah was no longer free, but under the control of a stronger foreign king.

What is the meaning of the tribute of silver and gold put on the land?

After capturing Jehoahaz, Pharaoh Necho “put the land to a tribute” of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. This means he forced Judah to pay a large, ongoing payment as a sign of surrender and control. Instead of Judah being free under God’s blessing, they had to hand over their wealth to a foreign ruler. It is a sad reversal of earlier days when God’s people had been freed from Egypt. Here, sin and turning from God led them back into heavy burden and loss.

What does this passage show about God’s judgment on Judah?

These verses show that God’s judgment on Judah continued even after Josiah’s good reforms. Josiah’s death, the short, evil reign of Jehoahaz, and Egypt’s control all show that the people’s hearts had not truly turned back to God. Outward changes under a strong leader were not enough. God allowed a foreign king to remove their ruler and tax their land. This teaches that God is patient but does not ignore long-standing sin, and that real repentance has to reach the heart, not just public rules.

How can Josiah’s death be both sad and yet part of God’s mercy?

Josiah’s death is very sad, because he was a faithful king who loved God. Yet this can also be seen as a kind of mercy. God had already announced that disaster was coming on Judah because of their long rebellion. Josiah, however, would be gathered to his grave in peace, not seeing all the coming trouble with his own eyes. His early death in battle removed him before the worst judgment fell on the nation. It shows that God can protect His servants even when He judges a sinful people.

How does this passage challenge readers today about leadership and obedience?

This passage reminds readers that even strong spiritual leadership cannot replace personal obedience. Josiah’s faith did not guarantee his sons’ faith, nor did his reforms change every heart in Judah. Jehoahaz quickly led the people back into evil and brought them under foreign control. For readers today, this warns against relying only on good leaders, traditions, or outward religion. Each person and each generation needs to seek God’s guidance for themselves and obey Him from the heart, not just go along outwardly.

2Kgs.23.28

2 Kings 23:28

KJV

Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

The Death of Josiah

Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

¶ In his days Pharaoh-nechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.

And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father’s stead.

¶ Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done.

And Pharaoh-nechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.

And Pharaoh-nechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.

And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaoh-nechoh.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.