2 Chronicles 35

King James Version

Full text for 2 Chronicles Chapter 35

1¶ Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth [day] of the first month.

2And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD,

3And 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,

4And 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.

5And 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.

6So 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.

7And 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.

8And 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.

9Conaniah 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.

10So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the king's commandment.

11And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled [the blood] from their hands, and the Levites flayed [them].

12And 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.

13And 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.

14And 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.

15And 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.

16So 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.

17And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.

18And 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.

19In 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 Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.

21But 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.

22Nevertheless 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.

23And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.

24His 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.

25And 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.

26Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to [that which was] written in the law of the LORD,

27And his deeds, first and last, behold, they [are] written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King Josiah orchestrated an unprecedented Passover celebration in Jerusalem, meticulously organizing the priests and Levites and providing vast resources for the offerings. Following this, he confronted Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Megiddo, disregarding a divine warning conveyed by Necho. Josiah was mortally wounded in the battle, leading to his death and widespread mourning throughout Judah.

Medium Summary

King Josiah initiated a grand and meticulously organized Passover celebration in Jerusalem, commanding priests and Levites to fulfill their duties according to Mosaic and Davidic ordinances, including the placement of the Holy Ark. He personally provided an immense number of animals for the offerings, and his princes and chief Levites also contributed significantly. The service was executed with precision, involving the proper slaughter, sprinkling of blood, flaying, and preparation of offerings, with singers and porters also in their appointed places. This Passover was declared the greatest observed in Israel since the time of Samuel the prophet, surpassing those of all previous kings. However, after these religious reforms, Josiah confronted Pharaoh Necho of Egypt, who was en route to Carchemish. Despite Necho's warning that his mission was divinely ordained and not against Judah, Josiah disregarded the counsel and engaged in battle at Megiddo. He was fatally wounded by archers, brought back to Jerusalem, and died, leading to widespread mourning throughout Judah and Jerusalem, with Jeremiah composing a lamentation for him.

Long Summary

King Josiah undertook a significant religious reform by organizing an extraordinary Passover celebration in Jerusalem during the eighteenth year of his reign. He meticulously prepared the priests and Levites, assigning them to their charges and encouraging their service in the house of the LORD, specifically instructing the Levites to place the Holy Ark within the temple built by Solomon, thereby relieving them of its burden. Josiah himself provided a vast quantity of thirty thousand lambs and kids, and three thousand bullocks from his own substance for the Passover offerings, ensuring ample provision for all present. His princes, including Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and the chief Levites, such as Conaniah and Hashabiah, also gave generously, contributing thousands of small cattle and oxen for the offerings. The entire service was prepared with precision, with priests and Levites standing in their appointed places, executing the rituals of killing the Passover, sprinkling blood, flaying, and preparing burnt offerings according to the Law of Moses and the ordinances of David. The offerings were roasted by fire, and other holy offerings were boiled and distributed speedily among the people, while the Levites also prepared for themselves and the priests who were occupied with the sacrifices until night. Singers, sons of Asaph, and porters were also stationed according to David's commandment, ensuring the smooth operation of the entire service. This Passover was remarkably comprehensive, described as unparalleled in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet, exceeding any kept by previous kings, involving all Judah, Israel, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Following these profound religious preparations, a tragic event unfolded as Necho, King of Egypt, advanced to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates. Josiah, despite having prepared the temple, went out to confront Necho. Necho sent ambassadors, warning Josiah not to interfere, asserting that his mission was not against Judah but against another house, and that God had commanded his haste, urging Josiah to refrain from meddling with God, who was with him, lest he be destroyed. Nevertheless, Josiah disregarded this divine warning, disguised himself, and engaged Necho in battle in the valley of Megiddo. Archers shot King Josiah, who, being severely wounded, commanded his servants to remove him from the battle. He was taken to Jerusalem, where he died and was buried in the sepulchres of his fathers, prompting profound mourning throughout all Judah and Jerusalem. The prophet Jeremiah composed a lamentation for Josiah, which became an ordinance in Israel, and his acts of goodness are recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

Core Concepts

  • Passover ObservanceKing Josiah meticulously organized and provided for a grand Passover celebration in Jerusalem, described as the most significant in Israel since the time of Samuel the prophet, emphasizing strict adherence to Mosaic and Davidic ordinances.
  • Royal Piety and ProvisionJosiah demonstrated his deep religious commitment by personally contributing immense quantities of animals for the Passover offerings, setting a precedent that inspired his princes and chief Levites to also give generously.
  • Levitical and Priestly ServiceThe chapter details the precise roles and responsibilities of the priests and Levites during the Passover, including the handling of sacrifices, preparation of offerings, and maintaining order according to established laws and courses.
  • Divine Warning and DisobediencePharaoh Necho conveyed a warning to Josiah, claiming divine instruction for his military campaign and urging Josiah not to interfere with God's will. Josiah tragically disregarded this counsel, leading to his downfall.
  • Tragic End of a Righteous KingDespite his earlier piety and extensive religious reforms, King Josiah met an untimely and fatal end in battle at Megiddo, highlighting the severe consequences of his decision to ignore the divine warning.
  • National Mourning and LamentationJosiah's death prompted widespread and profound mourning throughout Judah and Jerusalem, with the prophet Jeremiah composing a specific lamentation that became an enduring ordinance in Israel.