2 Chronicles 35: Passover and a Fatal Battle
Josiah keeps a Passover unmatched since Samuel, but ignores God's warning through Neco and falls in battle at Megiddo, deeply mourned by all.
2 Chronicles 35 (WEB)
1 Josiah kept a Passover to Yahweh in Jerusalem: and they killed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
2 He set the priests in their offices, and encouraged them to the service of Yahweh’s house.
3 He said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to Yahweh, “Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel built. There shall no more be a burden on your shoulders. Now serve Yahweh your God, and his people Israel.
4 Prepare yourselves after your fathers’ houses by your divisions, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.
5 Stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the fathers’ houses of your brothers the children of the people, and let there be for each a portion of a fathers’ house of the Levites.
6 Kill the Passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare for your brothers, to do according to Yahweh’s word by Moses.”
7 Josiah gave to the children of the people, of the flock, lambs and young goats, all of them for the Passover offerings, to all who were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bulls: these were of the king’s substance.
8 His princes gave for a freewill offering to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, the rulers of God’s house, gave to the priests for the Passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small livestock, and three hundred head of cattle.
9 Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brothers, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites, gave to the Levites for the Passover offerings five thousand small livestock, and five hundred head of cattle.
10 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites by their divisions, according to the king’s commandment.
11 They killed the Passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood which they received of their hand, and the Levites flayed them.
12 They removed the burnt offerings, that they might give them according to the divisions of the fathers’ houses of the children of the people, to offer to Yahweh, as it is written in the book of Moses. So they did with the cattle.
13 They roasted the Passover with fire according to the ordinance: and the holy offerings boiled they in pots, and in cauldrons, and in pans, and carried them quickly to all the children of the people.
14 Afterward they prepared for themselves, and for the priests, because the priests the sons of Aaron were busy with offering the burnt offerings and the fat until night: therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.
15 The singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer; and the porters were at every gate: they didn’t need to depart from their service; for their brothers the Levites prepared for them.
16 So all the service of Yahweh was prepared the same day, to keep the Passover, and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of Yahweh, according to the commandment of king Josiah.
17 The children of Israel who were present kept the Passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.
18 There was no Passover like that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did any of the kings of Israel keep such a Passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this Passover kept.
20 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.
21 But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, “What have I to do with you, you king of Judah? I come not against you this day, but against the house with which I have war. God has commanded me to make haste. Beware that it is God who is with me, that he not destroy you.”
22 Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and didn’t listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
23 The archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, “Take me away, because I am seriously wounded!”
24 So his servants took him out of the chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had, and brought him to Jerusalem; and he died, and was buried in the tombs of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
25 Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this day; and they made them an ordinance in Israel: and behold, they are written in the lamentations.
26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his good deeds, according to that which is written in Yahweh’s law,
27 and his acts, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
2 Chronicles 35 (KJV)
1 Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the Lord in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
2 And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the Lord,
3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the Lord, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the Lord your God, and his people Israel,
4 And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.
5 And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the families of the Levites.
6 So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
7 And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king’s substance.
8 And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen.
9 Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen.
10 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the king’s commandment.
11 And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them.
12 And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the Lord, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen.
13 And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided them speedily among all the people.
14 And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the priests: because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.
15 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.
16 So all the service of the Lord was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the Lord, according to the commandment of king Josiah.
17 And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.
18 And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.
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.
21 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.
22 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.
23 And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.
24 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.
25 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.
26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the Lord,
27 And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
2 Chronicles 35 (ASV)
1 And Josiah kept a passover unto Jehovah in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
2 And he set the priests in their offices, and encouraged them to the service of the house of Jehovah.
3 And he said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, that were holy unto Jehovah, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; there shall no more be a burden upon your shoulders. Now serve Jehovah your God, and his people Israel;
4 and prepare yourselves after your fathers’ houses by your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.
5 And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the fathers’ houses of your brethren the children of the people, and let there be for each a portion of a father’s house of the Levites.
6 And kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare for your brethren, to do according to the word of Jehovah by Moses.
7 And Josiah gave to the children of the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all of them for the passover-offerings, unto all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king’s substance.
8 And his princes gave for a freewill-offering unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, the rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover-offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen.
9 Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethanel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for the passover-offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen.
10 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites by their courses, according to the king’s commandment.
11 And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood which they received of their hand, and the Levites flayed them.
12 And they removed the burnt-offerings, that they might give them according to the divisions of the fathers’ houses of the children of the people, to offer unto Jehovah, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen.
13 And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: and the holy offerings boiled they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and carried them quickly to all the children of the people.
14 And afterward they prepared for themselves, and for the priests, because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering the burnt-offerings and the fat until night: therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.
15 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king’s seer; and the porters were at every gate: they needed not to depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.
16 So all the service of Jehovah was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt-offerings upon the altar of Jehovah, according to the commandment of king Josiah.
17 And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.
18 And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did any of the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.
20 After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.
21 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; and God hath commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.
22 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 Neco from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
23 And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.
24 So his servants took him out of the chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had, and brought him to Jerusalem; and he died, and was buried in the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
25 And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations unto this day; and they made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.
26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his good deeds, according to that which is written in the law of Jehovah,
27 and his acts, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
Summary
Josiah crowns his reforms with a magnificent Passover in Jerusalem, organizing the priests and Levites according to the writings of David and Solomon and urging them to serve the Lord and his people. He generously provides thirty thousand lambs and goats and three thousand bulls from his own substance, and the princes and Levite leaders give freely as well, so that everything is ready. The Levites kill the Passover, the priests sprinkle the blood, the singers and gatekeepers keep their posts, and the whole service is carried out in good order. The Chronicler declares that no Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet, nor by any king. But after all this, when Neco of Egypt marches to war at Carchemish, Josiah goes out to oppose him, even though Neco insists that God has sent him and warns Josiah not to interfere. Refusing to listen to the words from God's mouth, Josiah disguises himself, fights in the valley of Megiddo, is struck by archers, and dies in Jerusalem. All Judah mourns him, Jeremiah composes a lament, and the singers remember him in their songs to this day. A faithful king's life ends with a costly failure to heed God's warning, reminding us that even the godly must keep listening.
Main Characters
- Josiah — King of Judah who keeps the greatest Passover since Samuel, but ignores God's warning through Neco and is fatally wounded in battle at Megiddo.
- Neco king of Egypt — The pharaoh marching to Carchemish who warns Josiah that God has sent him and not to interfere, a warning Josiah tragically ignores.
- Jeremiah the prophet — The prophet who laments for Josiah, and whose lament, with the songs of the singers, keeps the king's memory alive in Israel.
Key Verse
2 Chronicles 35:18 (WEB)
There was no Passover like that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did any of the kings of Israel keep such a Passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Lessons Learned
- Wholehearted, well-ordered worship honors God and can mark a high point in a people's life.
- Generosity in worship, modeled from the top, blesses the whole community.
- Even faithful believers must keep listening for God's voice, which may come unexpectedly.
- A single failure to heed God's warning can carry tragic consequences.
- Worship deserves our best. Josiah gave lavishly “of the king’s substance” for the Passover offerings (2 Chronicles 35:7, WEB). Honoring God moves us to generosity.
- Order serves true worship. “So all the service of Yahweh was prepared the same day” (2 Chronicles 35:16, WEB). Faithful preparation lets a whole people worship well together.
- God may warn us through unlikely voices. Neco claimed, “God has commanded me to make haste” (2 Chronicles 35:21, WEB), and Josiah “didn’t listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God” (35:22).
- Even the faithful must keep listening. Josiah, godly as he was, ignored a true warning and was struck down at Megiddo (2 Chronicles 35:22-23, WEB). No past faithfulness excuses present deafness to God.
- What made Josiah's Passover so remarkable that none like it had been kept since Samuel (35:18)?
- How does Josiah's generosity set a tone for the whole celebration?
- Why is it surprising that God's warning to Josiah came through Pharaoh Neco?
- What can we learn from Josiah's failure to heed that warning, despite his faithful life?
- Are there warnings or counsel you have been reluctant to heed, perhaps because of their unexpected source?
- Josiah's Passover combined wholehearted devotion, generous provision, careful order, and broad participation, surpassing anything since Samuel. It was the fruit of his reforms reaching their high point. Help the group appreciate worship that is both heartfelt and well-prepared.
- Josiah gave thousands of animals from his own resources, and his princes and Levites followed his example. Generous leadership invites generous response from the whole community. Invite reflection on how leaders set the tone for a congregation's giving and worship.
- It is striking that God spoke through a pagan king, yet the text says Neco's words were “from the mouth of God.” The Lord is free to warn us through unexpected channels. Encourage humility to discern God's voice even from surprising sources.
- Even a deeply godly king ignored a genuine warning, with fatal results. Past faithfulness never exempts us from the need to keep listening and obeying today. This is a sobering reminder to remain teachable to the very end.
- This is a gentle personal-application question. Invite members to consider counsel they have dismissed, perhaps because of who delivered it. As leader, encourage prayerful discernment and a humble willingness to hear God's voice however it comes, while keeping the tone gracious.