2 Chronicles 35:22

22 But Josiah wouldn't turn back. Instead, he camouflaged himself in preparation for battle, refusing to listen to Neco's words from God's own mouth, and went to fight Neco on the plain of Megiddo.

2 Chronicles 35:22 Meaning and Commentary

2 Chronicles 35:22

Nevertheless, Josiah would not turn his face from him
Or withdraw his forces, and go back:

but disguised himself that he might fight with him;
without being personally known, and aimed at, see ( 1 Kings 22:30 )

and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God:
not believing that what he said came from the Lord, though it might; and his infirmity was, that he did not inquire of the Lord about it:

and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo;
which was in the tribe of Manasseh, thought to be the Magdolum of Herodotus, where he says Necho fought the battle ^F26; (See Gill on 2 Kings 23:29).

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Gale in Herodot. ut supra. (Euterpe, sive, l. 2. c. 159. & Galei not. in ib.)

2 Chronicles 35:22 In-Context

20 After all of these things, when Josiah had finished restoring the temple, Egypt's King Neco marched against Carchemish by the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out against him.

21 But Neco sent messengers to Josiah. "What do you want with me, king of Judah?" he asked. "I haven't come to attack you today. I'm after the dynasty that wars with me. God told me to hurry, and he is on my side. Get out of God's way, or he will destroy you."

22 But Josiah wouldn't turn back. Instead, he camouflaged himself in preparation for battle, refusing to listen to Neco's words from God's own mouth, and went to fight Neco on the plain of Megiddo.

23 When archers shot King Josiah, he said to his servants, "Take me away; I'm badly wounded!"

24 So his servants took him out of his chariot, placed him in another one, and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died and was buried in the tombs of his ancestors. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.