2 Chronicles 35:22

22 But Josiah would not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but joined battle in 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).


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 this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, King Neco of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah went out against him.
21 But Neco sent envoys to him, saying, "What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I am not coming against you today, but against the house with which I am at war; and God has commanded me to hurry. Cease opposing God, who is with me, so that he will not destroy you."
22 But Josiah would not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but joined battle in 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 his second chariot and brought him to Jerusalem. There he died, and was buried in the tombs of his ancestors. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.