II Chronicles 35: A Passover of Remembrance and a King's Tragic End
Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the Lord in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the Lord,
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the king’s commandment.
And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.
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.
In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.
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.
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.
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.
And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.
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.
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.
Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the Lord,
And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
II Chronicles 35 recounts a pivotal moment in Judah's history: King Josiah's profound reformation and the tragic circumstances surrounding his death. This chapter highlights both the potential for national revival through genuine repentance and the sobering reality of God's sovereign plan, even in the face of righteous leadership.
Restoring the Passover (II Chronicles 35:1-19)
II Chronicles 35:1-9 describes how Josiah, recognizing the spiritual neglect of the nation, meticulously organized a grand Passover celebration, something that had been overlooked for many years. The text in II Chronicles 35:1 emphasizes the long period of neglect. Josiah not only commanded the observance of the Passover but also ensured the proper placement of the Ark of the Covenant (II Chronicles 35:3), indicating its previous removal and the need for restoration. His dedication went beyond mere ritual; he, along with his officials, generously donated to the preparations (II Chronicles 35:7-9), demonstrating a personal investment in honoring God.
The commitment of the priests and Levites (II Chronicles 35:10-17) to faithfully carry out their duties underscores the widespread participation in this spiritual renewal. The people celebrated with renewed fervor, remembering God's deliverance of their ancestors from Egypt. The chronicler emphasizes the unparalleled nature of this Passover, stating in II Chronicles 35:18 that "No Passover had been observed like it in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel." This highlights the depth of Josiah's devotion and the remarkable impact of his reforms. It is both a testament to Josiah's zeal and a sad commentary on the spiritual decline that had occurred in Judah. The scale of the celebration underscores the profound impact of Josiah's reign and his commitment to restoring true worship.
Josiah's Fatal Decision (II Chronicles 35:20-27)
II Chronicles 35:20-27 presents a stark contrast to the preceding account of revival. Despite Josiah's righteousness, God's plan involved his death, a detail that is both difficult and important to understand. Josiah, in a decision that would prove fatal, confronted King Neco of Egypt at Megiddo. Neco explicitly warned Josiah, stating in II Chronicles 35:21-22 that he had no intention of fighting Judah and that God had commanded him to proceed with haste. The chronicler notes that Neco's words were, in essence, from the mouth of God.
Josiah's refusal to heed this warning resulted in his death at the hands of Neco's archers (II Chronicles 35:23-24). This event marked a turning point in Judah's history, signaling the beginning of the nation's rapid decline. The death of Judah's last great king cast a long shadow over the nation, ushering in a period of instability and ultimately leading to the Babylonian exile. The people mourned deeply for Josiah (II Chronicles 35:24-25), recognizing the immense loss they had suffered. His death marked the beginning of the end for Judah, a nation that had briefly experienced revival under his leadership.
Josiah's story is a complex one, demonstrating that even the most righteous individuals are subject to God's sovereign plan. While his reforms brought about a period of spiritual renewal, his death paved the way for Judah's eventual destruction. This chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's word and the unpredictable nature of life. It also highlights the tragic consequences of neglecting God's commands and the profound impact that even one person's choices can have on the course of history. The account in II Chronicles 35 provides both encouragement and caution, reminding us to seek God's will in all things and to remain faithful even in the face of adversity.
Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the Lord in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the Lord,
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the king’s commandment.
And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.
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.
In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.
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.
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.
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.
And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.
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.
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.
Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the Lord,
And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
II Chronicles 35 recounts a pivotal moment in Judah's history: King Josiah's profound reformation and the tragic circumstances surrounding his death. This chapter highlights both the potential for national revival through genuine repentance and the sobering reality of God's sovereign plan, even in the face of righteous leadership.
Restoring the Passover (II Chronicles 35:1-19)
II Chronicles 35:1-9 describes how Josiah, recognizing the spiritual neglect of the nation, meticulously organized a grand Passover celebration, something that had been overlooked for many years. The text in II Chronicles 35:1 emphasizes the long period of neglect. Josiah not only commanded the observance of the Passover but also ensured the proper placement of the Ark of the Covenant (II Chronicles 35:3), indicating its previous removal and the need for restoration. His dedication went beyond mere ritual; he, along with his officials, generously donated to the preparations (II Chronicles 35:7-9), demonstrating a personal investment in honoring God.
The commitment of the priests and Levites (II Chronicles 35:10-17) to faithfully carry out their duties underscores the widespread participation in this spiritual renewal. The people celebrated with renewed fervor, remembering God's deliverance of their ancestors from Egypt. The chronicler emphasizes the unparalleled nature of this Passover, stating in II Chronicles 35:18 that "No Passover had been observed like it in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel." This highlights the depth of Josiah's devotion and the remarkable impact of his reforms. It is both a testament to Josiah's zeal and a sad commentary on the spiritual decline that had occurred in Judah. The scale of the celebration underscores the profound impact of Josiah's reign and his commitment to restoring true worship.
Josiah's Fatal Decision (II Chronicles 35:20-27)
II Chronicles 35:20-27 presents a stark contrast to the preceding account of revival. Despite Josiah's righteousness, God's plan involved his death, a detail that is both difficult and important to understand. Josiah, in a decision that would prove fatal, confronted King Neco of Egypt at Megiddo. Neco explicitly warned Josiah, stating in II Chronicles 35:21-22 that he had no intention of fighting Judah and that God had commanded him to proceed with haste. The chronicler notes that Neco's words were, in essence, from the mouth of God.
Josiah's refusal to heed this warning resulted in his death at the hands of Neco's archers (II Chronicles 35:23-24). This event marked a turning point in Judah's history, signaling the beginning of the nation's rapid decline. The death of Judah's last great king cast a long shadow over the nation, ushering in a period of instability and ultimately leading to the Babylonian exile. The people mourned deeply for Josiah (II Chronicles 35:24-25), recognizing the immense loss they had suffered. His death marked the beginning of the end for Judah, a nation that had briefly experienced revival under his leadership.
Josiah's story is a complex one, demonstrating that even the most righteous individuals are subject to God's sovereign plan. While his reforms brought about a period of spiritual renewal, his death paved the way for Judah's eventual destruction. This chapter serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's word and the unpredictable nature of life. It also highlights the tragic consequences of neglecting God's commands and the profound impact that even one person's choices can have on the course of history. The account in II Chronicles 35 provides both encouragement and caution, reminding us to seek God's will in all things and to remain faithful even in the face of adversity.