20 After all this , when Josiah had set the temple in order , Neco king of Egypt came up to make war at Carchemish on the Euphrates , and Josiah went out to engage him. 21 But Neco sent messengers to him, saying , " What have we to do with each other, O King of Judah ? I am not coming against you today but against the house with which I am at war , and God has ordered me to hurry . Stop for your own sake from interfering with God who is with me, so that He will not destroy you." 22 However, Josiah would not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to make war with him; nor did he listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God , but came to make war on the plain of Megiddo . 23 The archers shot King Josiah , and the king said to his servants , "Take me away , for I am badly wounded ." 24 So his servants took him out of the chariot and carried him in the second chariot which he had, and brought him to Jerusalem where he died and was buried in the tombs of his fathers . All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah . 25 Then Jeremiah chanted a lament for Josiah . And all the male and female singers speak about Josiah in their lamentations to this day . And they made them an ordinance in Israel ; behold , they are also written in the Lamentations . 26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and his deeds of devotion as written in the law of the Lord , 27 and his acts , first to last , behold , they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 35:20-27
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 35:20-27
(Read 2 Chronicles 35:20-27)
The Scripture does not condemn Josiah's conduct in opposing Pharaoh. Yet Josiah seems to deserve blame for not inquiring of the Lord after he was warned; his death might be a rebuke for his rashness, but it was a judgment on a hypocritical and wicked people. He that lives a life of repentance, faith, and obedience, cannot be affected by the sudden manner in which he is removed. The people lamented him. Many mourn over sufferings, who will not forsake the sins that caused God to send them. Yet this alone can turn away judgments. If we blame Josiah's conduct, we should be watchful, lest we be cut down in a way dishonourable to our profession.