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 Charchemish 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.

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
McArther Bible Commentary
The chronicler, probably Ezra, gave much more attention to this Passover celebration than does 2Ki 23:21-23.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 12:6 Numbers 9:3 2 Kings 23:21 2 Chronicles 35:6 2 Chronicles 35:11

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 2:4 2 Chronicles 29:11

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The house - In the holy of holies. Whence, it may seem, it had been removed, by some of the wicked kings of Judah, possibly by Josiah's father Amon. A burden - Or, that it might not be a burden, so these words are to be joined with the former, as the reason why Solomon built this house, that the ark might have a constant and fixed habitation, and not need to be carried from place to place upon their shoulders, as it had been done while it was in the tabernacle. Ministers must look upon themselves as servants both to Christ, and to the people, for his sake. They must take care and take pains, and lay themselves out to the utmost, both for the honour and glory of God, and for the benefit of his people, not as having dominion over their faith, but as helpers of their holiness and joy.
McArther Bible Commentary
the holy ark. The ark of the covenant which was to remain in the Most Holy Place had been removed, probably by Manasseh, who set a carved image in its place (cf. 2Ch 33:7). The law for the carrying of the ark during the tabernacle days, when it was portable, called for poles to be placed through rings on the sides, and Levites (Kohathites) to carry it by the poles without touching it (cf. Exo 25:14-15). Uzza(h) died for touching the ark while he was improperly transporting the ark on a cart (1Ch 13:6-10). Now that the temple was built and the ark had a permanent place, it no longer needed to be transported in the old way.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 23:26 2 Chronicles 17:7 2 Chronicles 17:8 2 Chronicles 17:9 Nehemiah 8:7

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 9:10 2 Chronicles 8:14

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Stand - Or, minister, (as that word is frequently used) in the court of the priests. According - According to the several families both of the people, whom he calls their brethren, lest they should despise them, or grudge to serve them, and of the Levites. For the passover was to be eaten by the several families according to their numbers, and therefore he commands these persons, that when the paschal lambs were brought to them to be killed, they might so order the matter, that they might be distributed to the several families whether of the Levitical or other tribes.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 35:10 Ezra 6:18

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
McArther Bible Commentary
Moses. See notes on Exodus 12; 13. The prescribed pattern for the Passover in the temple was followed (2Ch 35:7-17).
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 15:12 2 Chronicles 29:5 2 Chronicles 35:1 2 Chronicles 35:7 2 Chronicles 35:11

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 30:24 2 Chronicles 31:3 2 Chronicles 35:6 2 Chronicles 35:8 Ezekiel 36:38

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Princes - Not the political, but ecclesiastical princes, or the chief of the priests and Levites, whose names here follow. Levites - For the use of any of the families of them, as need should be. For they supposed the thirty thousand which the king had given were not sufficient for all the families.
Bible Cross References
Numbers 7:2 2 Chronicles 30:24 2 Chronicles 31:13 2 Chronicles 34:9 2 Chronicles 35:7

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
Bible Cross References
Numbers 1:8 2 Chronicles 31:12

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 30:16 2 Chronicles 35:5

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 29:22 2 Chronicles 29:34 2 Chronicles 35:1 2 Chronicles 35:6 2 Chronicles 35:12 Ezra 6:20

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Removed - Some of the lesser cattle; for these also might be offered as burnt - offerings, (Leviticus 1:10) , and hence it may seem that all these small cattle were not given for paschal - lambs, but were to be offered as burnt - offerings for the people. And these they put apart lest they should be confounded with them which were for another use; and, that they might not be hindered from that which was their present work, that they might give, the paschal - lambs or kids. To offer - These words may belong to the last words, and to the paschal - lambs, which they were first to offer to the Lord, by killing them and sprinkling the blood, and then to give to the people; though the giving be here mentioned before the offering, such transpositions being usual in scripture. Oxen - As they did with the lesser cattle; they removed those oxen which were to be offered as burnt - offerings, from those which were to be offered as peace - offerings.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 35:11 2 Chronicles 35:13

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 12:8 Exodus 12:9 Leviticus 6:28 Deuteronomy 16:7 2 Chronicles 35:12 2 Chronicles 35:14 Ezekiel 46:20

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 35:13 2 Chronicles 35:15

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 25:1 1 Chronicles 26:12 2 Chronicles 30:16 2 Chronicles 35:14 2 Chronicles 35:16

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 35:15 2 Chronicles 35:17

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 12:1 2 Chronicles 30:21 2 Chronicles 35:16

Verse 18

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Like to that - The whole solemnity was performed exactly according to the law, whereas in Hezekiah's passover there were several irregularities: likewise Josiah furnished the whole congregation with beasts for sacrifice at his own charge, which no king ever did before him.
McArther Bible Commentary
no Passover. Hezekiah's Passover (cf. ch. 30) differed. It was not celebrated strictly according to Mosaic Law in that: (1) it was celebrated in the second month (2Ch 30:2); (2) not all the people were purified (2Ch 30:18); and (3) not all of the people came (2Ch 30:10).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 23:21 2 Kings 23:22 2 Chronicles 30:5 2 Chronicles 35:19

Verse 19

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The passover kept by Josiah.
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 23:22 2 Chronicles 35:18 2 Chronicles 35:20

Verse 20

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain in battle.
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.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
. See EGW on 2 Kings 23:29, 30, Vol. 2, p. 1039.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
After all - When he and his people hoped that God was reconciled, and the foundation of a lasting happiness laid, their hopes were quickly blasted. So much are men often mistaken in their judgments about the designs of God's providence.
McArther Bible Commentary
The details of Josiah's tragic death are given. When compared with the account in 2Ki 23:28-30, the events become clearer. Toward the end of Josiah's reign, the Egyptian Pharaoh Necho (c. 609-594 B.C.) set out on a military expedition to aid the king of Assyria in a war at Carchemish, Assyria's latest capital, 250 miles northeast of Damascus on the bank of the Euphrates River. Fearing such an alliance would present future danger to Israel, Josiah decided to intercept Pharaoh Necho's army and fight to protect his nation. Coming from Egypt, likely by ship to Acco, a northern seaport in Israel, and by land up the coastal plain of Israel, the Egyptian army had landed and proceeded east to the Valley of Megiddo (2Ch 35:22), i.e., Jezreel on the plain of Esdraelon. This was the most direct way to Carchemish. There, Josiah met him for battle and was wounded by an arrow. He made it back to Jerusalem (sixty miles south), where he died.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 23:29 2 Kings 23:30 2 Chronicles 35:19 Isaiah 10:9 Jeremiah 46:2

Verse 21

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain in battle.
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.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
. See EGW on 2 Kings 23:29, 30, Vol. 2, p. 1039.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The house - Against the house of the king of Assyria, between whom and me there is war. It is at thy peril, if thou engage against one who has both a better army, and a better cause and God on his side.
McArther Bible Commentary
God commanded me. He is referring to the true God; whether he had a true revelation or not is unknown. Josiah had no way to know either, and it is apparent he did not believe that Necho spoke the word of God. There is no reason to assume his death was punishment for refusing to believe. He probably thought Necho was lying and, once victorious with Assyria over Babylon, they would together be back to assault Israel.
Bible Cross References
Matthew 8:29 2 Chronicles 25:19 2 Chronicles 35:22

Verse 22

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain in battle.
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.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
. See EGW on 2 Kings 23:29, 30, Vol. 2, p. 1039.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Hearkened not - How can we think to prosper in our ways, if we do not acknowledge God in them!
Bible Cross References
Revelation 16:16 Judges 5:19 1 Samuel 28:8 1 Kings 22:30 2 Chronicles 18:29 2 Chronicles 35:21 2 Chronicles 35:23

Verse 23

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain in battle.
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.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
. See EGW on 2 Kings 23:29, 30, Vol. 2, p. 1039.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 22:34 2 Chronicles 35:22 2 Chronicles 35:24

Verse 24

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain in battle.
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.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
. See EGW on 2 Kings 23:29, 30, Vol. 2, p. 1039.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 35:23 Zechariah 12:11

Verse 25

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain in battle.
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.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
To this day - In all their succeeding lamentations for their publick calamities, they remembered Josiah's death as their first and fatal blow, which opened the flood - gates to all their following miseries.
McArther Bible Commentary
There is no record of Jeremiah's elegy. The people continued to mourn the loss of Josiah up to the writing of the Chronicles in 450-430 B.C., nearly 200 years after the event. In fact, the location of the battle, the town of Hadad-rimmon in the valley of Megiddo, was part of a proverb lamenting Josiah's death even in Zechariah's day (Zec 12:11), ninety years later.
Bible Cross References
Matthew 9:23 2 Samuel 1:17 2 Samuel 3:33 2 Chronicles 35:26 Ezra 2:65 Jeremiah 1:1 Jeremiah 9:17 Jeremiah 22:10 Lamentations 4:20 Ezekiel 32:16 Amos 5:16

Verse 26

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain in battle.
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.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 35:25 2 Chronicles 35:27

Verse 27

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain in battle.
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.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 35:26 2 Chronicles 36:1