2 Kings 23:28-30·~1 min

The Death of Josiah

The record points beyond itself to Josiah’s other deeds, then tells of his death in conflict with Pharaoh Neco at Megiddo. His servants return his body to Jerusalem, and Jehoahaz is anointed king.

A²⁸s for the rest of the acts of Josiah and all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? ²⁹During Josiah’s reign, Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt marched up to help the king of Assyria at the Euphrates River. King Josiah went out to confront him, but Neco faced him and killed him at Megiddo. ³⁰From Megiddo his servants carried his body in a chariot, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in place of his father.

Section summaryAfter noting the rest of Josiah’s acts, the chapter moves quickly to his death at Megiddo when he confronts Pharaoh Neco. His body is brought home and buried, and the people place Jehoahaz on the throne.

Role in the chapterThis brief section closes Josiah’s reign abruptly and turns the story from reform to succession. The faithful king is gone, and the chapter’s downward movement begins in earnest.