2 Chronicles 35 24

2 Chronicles 35:24 kjv

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.

2 Chronicles 35:24 nkjv

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. So he died, and was buried in one of the tombs of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.

2 Chronicles 35:24 niv

So they took him out of his chariot, put him in his other chariot and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs of his ancestors, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him.

2 Chronicles 35:24 esv

So his servants took him out of the chariot and carried him in his second chariot and brought him to Jerusalem. And he died and was buried in the tombs of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.

2 Chronicles 35:24 nlt

So they lifted Josiah out of his chariot and placed him in another chariot. Then they brought him back to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried there in the royal cemetery. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him.

2 Chronicles 35 verses

2 Chronicles 35 24 Meaning

2 Chronicles 35:24 describes the tragic immediate aftermath of King Josiah's fatal wounding at Megiddo. His loyal servants promptly removed him from his damaged war chariot, transferred him to another one, and transported him back to Jerusalem. There, the revered king died and was buried in the ancestral tombs of Judah's kings. This sudden and grievous loss led to widespread, profound mourning throughout all of Judah and Jerusalem, reflecting the deep impact of his death on the nation.

2 Chronicles 35 24 Context

2 Chronicles 35:24 occurs during a pivotal moment in Judah's history, immediately following King Josiah's unexpected and tragic death. The chapter initially highlights Josiah's significant religious reforms, including the greatest Passover celebration since the days of Samuel (vv. 1-19). This revival, however, culminates in Josiah's ill-advised decision to confront Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt at Megiddo (vv. 20-22). Necho explicitly stated he was sent by God and warned Josiah not to intervene. Despite this divine warning, which Josiah failed to heed, the righteous king went into battle, where he was mortally wounded (v. 23). This verse details his return and death, serving as the dramatic culmination of his fateful choice. Historically, Josiah's death in 609 BC marked the effective end of Judah's independence and spiritual renewal, accelerating its decline towards Babylonian exile. The mourning for Josiah underscored his widespread reverence and the profound loss of Judah's last hope for spiritual and national restoration.

2 Chronicles 35 24 Word analysis

• And his servants: (וַיִּשָּׂאֻהוּ מְשָׁרְתָיו - vayyiśśā'uhu meshāretāv). "Servants" (מְשָׁרְתָיו - meshāretāv) refers to his royal attendants or ministers, those close to him who served him. Their immediate action highlights their loyalty and the urgency of the situation, indicating a chaotic battlefield removal of their severely wounded king.
• took him out: (וַיּוֹרִידוּהוּ - vayyōrîdûhû). Implies an action of "bringing down" or "removing" from a higher place. Josiah was likely positioned within the chariot, and the swiftness suggests a critical state.
• of the chariot: (מִן־הַמֶּרְכָּבָה - min-hammerkāvāh). Refers to his war chariot, the one he was in during the battle, which would have been compromised or unsuitable for transporting a dying man. This detail indicates the immediate battle zone evacuation.
• and carried him: (וַיִּשְׂאֻהוּ - vayyiś'ūhû). Indicates lifting and bearing him, suggesting he was incapacitated and unable to move on his own. This physical act signifies deep concern and reverence.
• in a second chariot: (בְּמֶרְכֶּבֶת הַמִּשְׁנֶה - bəmerkāvet hammishneh). Literally, "in the chariot of the second" or "a replacement chariot." This detail signifies a practical necessity: the first chariot was either damaged, slow, or contaminated with blood. A "second chariot" could imply a spare or perhaps a dedicated swift vehicle for emergencies. It emphasizes the severity of his injury and the need for immediate, safer transport.
• and brought him to Jerusalem: (וַיְבִאֻהוּ יְרוּשָׁלַיִם - vayvi'ûhû yerûšālāyim). The ultimate destination. This journey home was not a triumphal procession but a sorrowful transport of a dying king, emphasizing the tragic turn of events and the immediate end of his life's mission. Jerusalem was his capital and intended resting place.
• And he died: (וַיָּמֹת - vayyāmōt). A concise yet profound statement. It signifies the irreversible end of Judah's last truly righteous king, highlighting the devastating spiritual and national loss.
• and was buried: (וַיִּקָּבֵר - vayyiqqāver). The immediate burial emphasizes his royal status and the swift completion of final rites.
• in the tombs of his fathers: (בְּקִבְרוֹת אֲבֹתָיו - bəqivrōt 'avōtāv). Refers to the royal necropolis, traditionally within the City of David or nearby. This established burial site reaffirms his legitimacy as a king in the Davidic line, connecting him to Judah's royal history, despite the tragic nature of his death.
• And all Judah and Jerusalem: (וְכָל־יְהוּדָה וִירוּשָׁלַיִם - vəḵol-yəhûdâ wîrûšālayim). Signifies the universal scope of the mourning. Not just the capital, but the entire kingdom. This underlines Josiah's popularity and the deep affection his people held for him, due to his piety and reforms.
• mourned for Josiah: (מִתְאַבְּלִים עַל־יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ - mit'abbəlîm 'al-yō'šîyāhû). Describes profound lamentation. The root (אָבַל - 'aval) means to grieve deeply. This collective grief underscores the national catastrophe, the loss of their last righteous king, and a premonition of coming judgment, a turning point from a period of revival to inevitable decline.

2 Chronicles 35 24 Bonus section

While Josiah died a "physical" death in battle, the prophecy given to Huldah in 2 Chronicles 34:28 states that he would "be gathered to your graves in peace." This can be understood as Josiah being spared from witnessing the full, horrific destruction of Jerusalem and the desolation of Judah that was prophesied for future generations due to their deep-seated idolatry. His death, while tragic and violent, thus ironically shielded him from a far greater national catastrophe he would otherwise have lived to endure, thereby fulfilling the prophecy of "peace" in a theological, not purely physical, sense.

2 Chronicles 35 24 Commentary

2 Chronicles 35:24 encapsulates the somber conclusion of King Josiah's reign, a poignant testament to the fragility of even righteous kings in the face of disobedience. The swift, urgent actions of his servants underscore the critical nature of his wounds and their devotion. Their choice of a "second chariot" suggests practicality amidst emergency, signifying the brokenness of the war, perhaps both literally of the vehicle and metaphorically of Josiah's ill-fated campaign. His return to Jerusalem, not in triumph but as a casualty, serves as a tragic narrative parallel to his otherwise glorious and faithful reign. His burial in the ancestral tombs legitimizes his place in the royal lineage, yet the manner of his death highlights a crucial theological point often emphasized in the Chronicler's work: the consequences of ignoring God's direct word, even if relayed through an unexpected source like Pharaoh Necho (v. 22).

The nationwide mourning described, extending from "all Judah" to "Jerusalem," testifies to Josiah's profound impact and the depth of affection he inspired through his steadfast piety and radical reforms. His death was perceived as a national calamity, a profound and sorrowful end to what seemed like Judah's last chance for genuine spiritual renewal. This mourning was not merely for a fallen king, but for a lost hope, a premonition of the imminent divine judgment and Babylonian exile that soon followed. The Chronicler subtly draws attention to the mystery of a good king suffering a premature death, pointing to his critical decision to disregard God's word, thereby reinforcing the principle that divine commands hold authority, regardless of the messenger or apparent rationale.