Chapter 35

Re-institution of the Passover.

This verse:

3 And he said to the Levites who taught all Israel and who were holy to the LORD, "Put the holy ark in the house that Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, built. You need not carry it on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and his people Israel. [2Ch 35:3 ESV]

Where had it been?  Is this the last we hear of it?  Supposedly it was in Herod's Temple still in 70 AD, but that isn't in the Bible as far as I know.

When Neco hears that Josiah is coming, he tells him to "go away" because Neco has no designs on Judah but is only assisting the Assyrians.  Further, Neco says it is God who told him to come and do this, and if Josiah doesn't go away, then God will destroy Josiah.  Josiah does not listen.

Josiah is so intent on "helping" Neco against Babylon that he disguises himself, and goes into battle with Neco, though Neco doesn't know it.  This verse:

22 Nevertheless, Josiah did not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to fight in the plain of Megiddo. [2Ch 35:22 ESV]

Implying that Neco was truthful about God sending him up there.  Why would Josiah not be informed of this?

2024 - Why did Josiah do this, even to the point of disguising himself so he could fight?  Finally figured out the whole bringing home the enemy's idols and worshiping them, and now this?  This is why Josiah dies at 39 - he went to war and was killed in battle.  I do not understand.

Here is something to watch for once I start reading Jeremiah:

25 Jeremiah also uttered a lament for Josiah; and all the singing men and singing women have spoken of Josiah in their laments to this day. They made these a rule in Israel; behold, they are written in the Laments. [2Ch 35:25 ESV]