2 Kings 23 30

2 Kings 23:30 kjv

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.

2 Kings 23:30 nkjv

Then his servants moved his body in a chariot from Megiddo, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in his father's place.

2 Kings 23:30 niv

Josiah's servants brought his body in a chariot from Megiddo to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and anointed him and made him king in place of his father.

2 Kings 23:30 esv

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

2 Kings 23:30 nlt

Josiah's officers took his body back in a chariot from Megiddo to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. Then the people of the land anointed Josiah's son Jehoahaz and made him the next king.

2 Kings 23 verses

2 Kings 23 30 Meaning

2 Kings 23:30 describes the tragic end of King Josiah, one of Judah's most righteous kings. Following his fatal encounter with Pharaoh Necho II at Megiddo, his loyal servants hastily transported him, likely still alive but mortally wounded, in a chariot back to Jerusalem. There, he died and was buried with the dignity of a king in his dynastic tomb. Immediately following this immense national loss, the influential "people of the land" (the general assembly or landholding elite) exercised their prerogative, selecting Josiah's son, Jehoahaz, to succeed him. They ritually anointed him, formally establishing him as king in his father's place, signifying the continuation of the Davidic line despite the profound grief and instability.

2 Kings 23 30 Context

Chapter 23 details King Josiah's sweeping reforms, purging Judah and Israel of idolatry and re-establishing the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem. This grand revival follows the discovery of the Book of the Law. Josiah's piety and dedication were unparalleled among Judah's kings after David. The end of the chapter unexpectedly describes his premature death in battle against Pharaoh Necho II at Megiddo. Historically, this period marked a power vacuum after the decline of Assyria, with Egypt (under Necho) attempting to assert its dominance northward and the rising Babylonian empire (under Nebuchadnezzar) posing a new threat. Josiah, likely trying to prevent Egyptian passage and uphold Judah's newly re-established sovereignty (or possibly out of loyalty to a dwindling Assyrian presence), confronted Necho. His death was a severe blow to Judah, ending a period of great religious revival and plunging the nation back into political instability and spiritual decline under his less righteous successors. Verse 30 captures the immediate aftermath of this profound tragedy and the rapid political transition.

2 Kings 23 30 Word analysis

• And his servants: (וַעֲבָדָיו, wa‘ăvāḏāw) The king's royal entourage and loyal officials. They demonstrate unwavering allegiance, acting swiftly to care for their fallen king. Their presence underscores Josiah's standing and the urgency of the situation.
• carried him in a chariot: (וַיִּשְׂאוּ אֹתוֹ בָּרֶכֶב, wayyiśʾū ’ōṯōw bār-eḵeḇ) A hasty, practical measure, reflecting the chaos of battle and the critical condition of Josiah. The chariot was the royal vehicle and symbol of military power, now repurposed for retrieval, indicating a hurried departure from the battlefield rather than an orderly retreat. Some traditions suggest he was mortally wounded in his chariot.
• from Megiddo: (מִמְּגִדּוֹ, mimMeḡiddo) A highly strategic and ancient battlefield in the Jezreel Valley, notorious for decisive conflicts. It became synonymous with tragic military defeats for Israel. Later, its name gives rise to "Armageddon" (Har Megiddo), symbolizing a final battle.
• brought him to Jerusalem: (וַיָּבִיאֻהוּ יְרוּשָׁלַם, wayyābî’ūhū Yərūšālaim) The capital city, signifying the center of power and the place where a king's burial legitimizes his reign and lineage.
• and buried him in his own tomb: (וַיִּקְבְּרוּ אֹתוֹ בְּקִבְרָתוֹ, wayyiqbərū ’ōṯōw bəqiḇrāṯōw) Proper royal burial was crucial for legitimacy and honor. "His own tomb" typically refers to the royal tombs in the City of David, signifying that he received a king's respectful final resting place despite his battlefield death. This contrasts with the less honorable burial of unrighteous kings.
• And all the people of the land: (וְכָל-עַם הָאָרֶץ, wəḵāl-‘am hā’āreṣ) This term ("ʽam ha'aretz") denotes not just commoners but the influential landed gentry or representatives of the nation. They held significant power in establishing kings, particularly during times of crisis or contested succession. Their role highlights a form of popular, yet structured, sovereignty in royal succession.
• took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah: (וַיִּקְחוּ אֶת-יְהוֹאָחָז בֶּן-יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ, wayyiqḥū ’eṯ-Yəhō’āḥāz ben-Yōšīyāhū) Indicates their initiative in the succession. Jehoahaz was a younger son, suggesting that either the older son, Eliakim (Jehoiakim), was overlooked for a reason (perhaps Jehoahaz was seen as more amenable to their faction or Josiah's actual preference), or the "people of the land" acted quickly and chose the first suitable heir.
• and anointed him: (וַיִּמְשְׁחוּ אֹתוֹ, wayyimšəḥū ’ōṯōw) The sacred ritual of pouring oil on the king's head, symbolizing divine authorization and equipping for office. It transformed him from a chosen heir to the Lord's anointed, legitimizing his reign religiously.
• and made him king in his father's place: (וַיַּמְלִיכֻהוּ תַּחַת אָבִיו, wayyamlîḵuhū taḥaṯ ’āḇîw) The formal act of enthronement, immediately following the anointing. It emphasizes the swiftness of the succession, a measure to maintain stability and prevent a power vacuum following Josiah's sudden death.

2 Kings 23 30 Bonus section

• Josiah's "Peaceful" Death: Although Josiah died violently in battle, 2 Kings 22:20 prophesied that he would be "gathered to your grave in peace" and would not see "all the calamity which I will bring on this place." From a theological perspective, his death before the ultimate destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon (just 23 years later) could be considered a "peaceful" deliverance from witnessing the impending judgment, a divine grace despite his seemingly tragic end.
• Jehoahaz's Omission from Prophecy: Notably, while Josiah's reign was long (31 years) and righteous, Jehoahaz's reign was brief (three months, 2 Ki 23:31) and unrighteous. He was also called Shallum in Jeremiah 22:11, where a lament is prophesied against him for his impending exile and permanent absence from Judah, a sharp contrast to Josiah.
• Megiddo's Prophetic Shadow: While not directly in 2 Kings 23, Megiddo gains profound symbolic significance later as "Har Megiddo" (Mount Megiddo), transliterated into Greek as "Armageddon" in Revelation 16:16, the prophetic site of the final great battle. Josiah's defeat here becomes part of a long historical legacy of conflict at this strategic crossroads.

2 Kings 23 30 Commentary

2 Kings 23:30 starkly encapsulates the sudden end of a golden era for Judah. Josiah, the unparalleled reformer, met an unexpected and violent death at Megiddo. His demise challenges conventional biblical theology which often links righteousness with long life and prosperity, leading to deeper theological reflection on divine purpose even in tragic loss. The mention of his servants carrying him, though dead in some translations, emphasizes the urgent removal from the chaotic battlefield to ensure a proper burial, underscoring the king's importance even in death. His burial in his own tomb confirms his legitimacy and the dignity of his reign despite the unfortunate circumstances.The immediate actions of "the people of the land" to enthrone Jehoahaz signify their concern for continuity and stability. Their role as agents of king-making ('am ha'aretz') demonstrates a powerful non-royal influence in Judean politics. The swift anointing ensures religious sanction for the new king, an essential element for his rule. This verse is pivotal, marking the abrupt conclusion of Judah's last spiritual resurgence under a truly godly king and setting the stage for a rapid decline towards exile. It reveals both human initiative in crisis and the inevitable outworking of God's prior pronouncements regarding Judah's fate (despite Josiah's efforts), confirming that even the best human efforts cannot avert determined divine judgment if repentance is not universal and lasting.