16 So all the service of the Lord was prepared on that day to celebrate the Passover , and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord according to the command of King Josiah . 17 Thus the sons of Israel who were present celebrated the Passover at that time , and the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days . 18 There had not been celebrated a Passover like it in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet ; nor had any of the kings of Israel celebrated such a Passover as Josiah did with the priests , the Levites , all Judah and Israel who were present , and the inhabitants of Jerusalem . 19 In the eighteenth e year of Josiah's reign this Passover was celebrated .
20 After all this , when Josiah had set the temple in order , Neco king of Egypt came up to make war at Carchemish on the Euphrates , and Josiah went out to engage him. 21 But Neco sent messengers to him, saying , " What have we to do with each other, O King of Judah ? I am not coming against you today but against the house with which I am at war , and God has ordered me to hurry . Stop for your own sake from interfering with God who is with me, so that He will not destroy you." 22 However, Josiah would not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to make war with him; nor did he listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God , but came to make war on 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 the second chariot which he had, and brought him to Jerusalem where he died and was buried in the tombs of his fathers . All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah . 25 Then Jeremiah chanted a lament for Josiah . And all the male and female singers speak about Josiah in their lamentations to this day . And they made them an ordinance in Israel ; behold , they are also written in the Lamentations . 26 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and his deeds of devotion as written in the law of the Lord , 27 and his acts , first to last , behold , they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 35:16-27
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 35:1-19
(Read 2 Chronicles 35:1-19)
The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 35:20-27
(Read 2 Chronicles 35:20-27)
The Scripture does not condemn Josiah's conduct in opposing Pharaoh. Yet Josiah seems to deserve blame for not inquiring of the Lord after he was warned; his death might be a rebuke for his rashness, but it was a judgment on a hypocritical and wicked people. He that lives a life of repentance, faith, and obedience, cannot be affected by the sudden manner in which he is removed. The people lamented him. Many mourn over sufferings, who will not forsake the sins that caused God to send them. Yet this alone can turn away judgments. If we blame Josiah's conduct, we should be watchful, lest we be cut down in a way dishonourable to our profession.