2 Chronicles 35:22

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.

21 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.

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

24 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.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Josiah, however, did not turn away from him; instead, in order to engage him in battle, he disguised himself. He did not listen to Neco’s words from the mouth of God, but went to fight him on the Plain of Megiddo.
KJV
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.
WEB
Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and didn’t listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
ASV
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 Neco from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
DARBY
But Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight against him; and he hearkened not to the words of Necho from the mouth of God; and he came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
BLB
And Josiah did not turn his face from him. But he disguised himself to fight against him, and he did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God; and he came to fight on the Plain of Megiddo.
ÅB
Men Josias vendte ikke om fra ham; han forkledde seg og ville stride med ham og hørte ikke på Nekos ord, som kom fra Guds munn, men dro ut for å stride med ham i Megiddo-dalen.
OTB
Men Josjia ville ikke vende seg bort fra ham, men forkledde seg for å kjempe mot ham; heller ikke lyttet han til ordene fra Neko fra Guds munn, men kom for å engasjere ham i kamp på Megiddos slette.
B1930
Men Josias vendte ikke om fra ham; han forklædde sig og vilde stride med ham og hørte ikke på Nekos ord, som kom fra Guds munn, men drog ut for å stride med ham i Megiddo-dalen.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Judges 5:19

    The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 18:29

    And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 22:30

    And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 35:21

    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.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 14:2

    And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people.

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 18:4–6

    And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 23:30

    And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father’s stead.

    Read in context
  • Zechariah 12:11

    In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.

    Read in context