In 2 Chronicles 35:20-22 why did Josiah fight Necho?

Question

From 2 Chronicles 35 (NIV):

20 After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Necho king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. 21 But Necho sent messengers to him, saying, “What quarrel is there, king of Judah, between you and me? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”

22 Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Necho had said at God’s command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.

Why did Josiah do this? Why did he challenge Necho in the first place, and why wouldn't he be dissuaded?

Answer 1

When this passage came up in my research last year, I found the explanation by Malamat (1950, 'The Last Wars of the Kingdom of Judah', in Journal of Near Eastern Studies 9, 218–227) the most compelling (p. 219):

The first discovery that was a turning point in understanding the chain of events in the last years of King Josiah's reign was the Babylonian Chronicle (describing the years 616–609), published by Gadd in 1923,⁷ which explains why Josiah attempted a stand at Megiddo against the powerful Egyptian army. The Battle of Megiddo is no longer a reckless adventurous step taken by Josiah, as was usually described by historians, but rather a bold decision based on far-reaching political and military considerations. As is known, the Babylonian Chronicle proves that Assyria and Egypt, which until now had been archenemies, concluded a military mutual aid pact against Babylon and Media, which were overrunning Assyrian cities. In 610, a year before the Battle of Megiddo, the Babylonian army, with the help of the Umman-Manda, conquered the city Ḥaran and established control of the whole region as far west as the Euphrates. This constituted a threat to Syria. Egypt therefore sent aid to her Assyrian ally, the remnants of whose army were quartered in Syria. It is clear that Josiah's attempt to detain the Egyptian army at Megiddo came to prevent that Egyptian military assistance.⁸ Josiah's action allies Judah with Babylon; perhaps it even signifies a phase of a broad strategic plan, a military alliance between Babylon and Judah.⁹

<sub>7. Gadd, The Fall of Nineveh (1923).
8. Cf. II Chron. 35:21. The concept בית מלחמתי in this passage has not been satisfactorily explained. According to one opinion, it refers to the permanent encampment of Pharaoh in Syria or to his front line (cf. J. Lewy, "Forschungen zur alten Geschichte Vorderasiens," MVAG [1924], p. 21). Another opinion has it that it refers to Riblah, Pharaoh's headquarters in Syria (cf. B. Alfrink, "Die Schlacht bei Megiddo und der Tod Josias," Biblica, 1934, who translates: "Kriegsstadt, Garnisonsstadt, Festungsstadt").
9. The biblical story pertaining to Chezkiah's reign about Merodach Bal'adan testifles to a much earlier contact between representatives of Judah and Babylon (II Kings 20:12 ff.).</sub>

Answer 2

I don't think that it was meant to be an alliance with Egypt. If we read throughout the books of Jeremiah, Isaiah and both books of Kings. The prophets kept opposing such a move and Josiah tended to listen to them. If we look closer we see that the Egyptians had sided with the Assyrians, who up until now, posed a threat to the people of Judah. Despite the rivalries, Israel was a buffer for Judah in case of an Assyrian attack. Israel had fallen to the Assyrians approximately 200 years earlier. Now, the buffer no longer existed so Assyria posed a threat to Judah. Assyria being besieged by Babylon allied itself with its once archnemesis, Egypt. Egypt was on its way to help its new ally from Babylonian attacks. Josiah, aware that a free Assyria would once again pose a threat against Judah was not about to let Assyria get the assistance it needed. Josiah saw that his worst threat was being annihilated and was not about to sit with his arms crossed and allow anybody to help his enemy.

Answer 3

Remember, too, that they had recently finished celebrating Passover. If I recall correctly, that was the first Passover celebrated on the national level since Hezekiah, and the first one to be celebrated in a proper fashion in many, many generations; the Passover was incorrect during the time of Hezekiah, but due to their faith and striving to return to Adonai, Adonai looked upon them with favor and forgave their lapse in decorum. So, all the socio-political and military issues included, just as they finish celebrating their liberation from the Egyptian military via the Hand of God, here comes the Egyptian military in alliance with Judah's heretofore top enemy nation and enslaver/destroyer of their northern brethren, claiming the Hand of God brought them to their doorstep. If I had to put myself in Josiah's shoes, I would have probably have taken that as blasphemy on top of aggression. God is One.

Answer 4

Well, how many people do we know in life that start their race strong, and make a mistake? I think Josiah, no matter what his reasons we're didn't consult with Huldah first (The Prophetess of that time).He didn't check in with her. Had he did that, we might be reading a different ending to his life. Whatever the case, scripture gives him big compliments. There was no king in Israel who chased after the Lord like him, or ever would again. Wow...

Answer 5

I agree that Josiah was an obedient and lover of GOD, more than any king to me. Who really knows why Josiah decided to pose as a warrior and continue to battle on..... With the history of the deceit of the Egyptians; it could have been just another ploy on Neco's part. GOD is the only omniscient and omnipotent One to know why. (2 Chronicles 35:20-27)