2 Chronicles 35:24-25
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Notice that Josiah, after being mortally wounded, is moved from his own chariot to a second chariot, suggesting a humble, unceremonious departure. His death, though a tragedy for the nation, is met with deep, shared mourning that transcends social strata, showing the profound impact of his righteous reign.
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. 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Josiah, a deeply faithful king, has just been mortally wounded in battle against the Egyptian army, a confrontation he entered against God's warning. His death marks a tragic turning point, cutting short a reign that had seen a powerful revival of faithfulness to God. The prophet Jeremiah would go on to lament this loss, highlighting the devastation that followed Josiah's passing.
Josiah's final moments were marked by immediate care and respect, even in death. This verse reveals a crucial detail about how his body was handled.
A King's Final Journey
Even though Josiah was mortally wounded in battle, his loyal servants didn't abandon him. They acted swiftly and honorably:
This careful handling underscores his status as a beloved and righteous king.
The death of a king can deeply affect a nation, but the mourning for Josiah was particularly profound. What made his loss so devastating?
A Kingdom in Grief
All of Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. This wasn't just a formality; it was a genuine expression of sorrow for a leader who had fundamentally changed their nation for the better.
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Understand the original words
qinah · Hebrew Noun
'Lament' refers to a formal expression of grief or sorrow, often structured as a dirge. In Scripture, it is a significant cultural practice for honoring the dead and expressing profound national or personal loss.
saphad · Hebrew Verb
'Mourned' represents the outward and inward expression of sorrow, particularly over the death of a significant leader or loved one. It is a culturally recognized period or act of grieving, often involving weeping and public displays of sadness.
Josiah's death at the Battle of Megiddo was a tragic turning point, ending a period of righteous reform and plunging Judah into political turmoil and sorrow, as vividly described in the verse.
c. 640 BC
Josiah Becomes King of Judah
Josiah ascends to the throne at a young age in a kingdom influenced by Assyrian power and internal idolatry.
c. 622 BC
The Book of the Law is Found
During a temple renovation, the high priest Hilkiah discovers a scroll of the Law, which profoundly impacts Josiah and leads to religious reforms.
c. 612 BC
Fall of Nineveh
The Assyrian capital of Nineveh falls to the Babylonians and Medes, significantly weakening the Assyrian Empire and creating a power vacuum in the region.
609 BC— this verse
Battle of Megiddo
King Josiah leads his army to intercept Pharaoh Necho's forces marching through Judah to aid the collapsing Assyrian Empire. Josiah is mortally wounded in this battle.
609 BC
Death and Mourning for Josiah
Josiah is brought back to Jerusalem, where he dies from his wounds. His death is met with widespread grief throughout Judah and Jerusalem.
609 BC - 598 BC
Succession Crisis in Judah
Josiah's death ushers in a period of instability, with his sons Jehoahaz and then Jehoiakim ruling under Egyptian and later Babylonian influence.
This passage describes a prophecy against an altar built by Jeroboam, which is strikingly similar to Josiah's actions in destroying idolatry and fulfilling prophecy.
2 Kings 22:11-20This chapter details Josiah's reaction to the discovered Book of the Law, his deep repentance, and God's promise that because of his humility, the judgment would not come in his lifetime, highlighting his devotion.
Jeremiah 22:10-16The prophet Jeremiah laments for Shallum (also known as Josiah) and his family, predicting his exile and death away from his land, which stands in stark contrast to the honorable burial and widespread mourning described here.
Matthew 5:4Jesus' beatitude 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted' resonates with the deep mourning of Judah and Jerusalem for Josiah, showing how genuine sorrow can be a sign of spiritual depth and community.
Notice that Josiah, after being mortally wounded, is moved from his own chariot to a second chariot, suggesting a humble, unceremonious departure. His death, though a tragedy for the nation, is met with deep, shared mourning that transcends social strata, showing the profound impact of his righteous reign.
King Josiah, a deeply faithful king, has just been mortally wounded in battle against the Egyptian army, a confrontation he entered against God's warning. His death marks a tragic turning point, cutting short a reign that had seen a powerful revival of faithfulness to God. The prophet Jeremiah would go on to lament this loss, highlighting the devastation that followed Josiah's passing.
King Josiah, a deeply faithful king, has just been mortally wounded in battle against the Egyptian army, a confrontation he entered against God's warning. His death marks a tragic turning point, cutting short a reign that had seen a powerful revival of faithfulness to God. The prophet Jeremiah would go on to lament this loss, highlighting the devastation that followed Josiah's passing.
"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. Jeremiah also uttered a lam…" — Notice that Josiah, after being mortally wounded, is moved from his own chariot to a second chariot, suggesting a humble, unceremonious departure. His death, though a tragedy for the nation, is m…
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Last reviewed October 2026
