Verse 1

Introduction

Overview

2 Chronicles 35 . 1 , Josiah keeps a most solemn passover; 2 Chronicles 35 . 20 , He provoking Pharaoh-necho , is slain at Megiddo; 2 Chronicles 35 . 25 , Lamentations for Josiah.

Josiah . The whole solemnity was performed with great exactness according to the law , and upon that account there was none like it since Samuel's time; for even in Hezekiah's passover there were several irregularities. Bp. Patrick observes , that in this also it exceeded the other passovers which preceding things had kept , that though Josiah was by no means so rich as David , or Solomon , or Jehoshaphat , yet he furnished the congregation with beasts for sacrifice , both paschal and eucharistical , at his own proper cost and charge , which was more than any king ever did before. 2 Chronicles 30 . 1-27 , 2 Kings 23 . 21-23

the fourteenth . Exodus 12 . 6 , Numbers 9 . 3 , Deuteronomy 16 . 1-8 , Ezra 6 . 19 , Ezekiel 45 . 21 , Josiah's solemnization of the passover , which is merely alluded to at 2 Kings 23 . 21 , is very particularly related her , while the destruction of idolatry is largely related in the Kings , and here only touched upon. The feasts of the Lord God , appointed by the ceremonial law , were very numerous; but the passover was the chief. It was the first which was solemnized in the night wherein Israel came out of Egypt , and ushered in those which were afterwards instituted , and it was the last great feast which was held in the night wherein Christ was betrayed , before the vail of the temple was rent in twain. Be means of this feast , both Josiah and Hezekiah revived religion in their day.

Reciprocal . Numbers 9 . 2 . his appointed Jeremiah 3 . 10 . Judah Matthew 1 . 10 . Josias

Verse 2

charges . 2 Chronicles 23 . 8 , 2 Chronicles 23 . 18 , 2 Chronicles 31 . 2 , Numbers 18 . 5-7 , 1 Chronicles 24 . 1-31 , Ezra 6 . 18

encouraged . 2 Chronicles 29 . 5-11 , 2 Chronicles 31 . 2 , 1 Chronicles 22 . 19

Reciprocal . Joshua 3 . 8 . command 2 Kings 12 . 4 . said to the priests

Verse 3

the Levites . 2 Chronicles 17 . 8 , 2 Chronicles 17 . 9 , 2 Chronicles 30 . 22 , Deuteronomy 33 . 10 , Nehemiah 8 . 7 , Nehemiah 8 . 8 , Malachi 2 . 7

Put . 2 Chronicles 8 . 11 , 2 Chronicles 34 . 14

in the house . 2 Chronicles 5 . 7

not be . Numbers 4 . 15-49 , 1 Chronicles 23 . 26

serve now . Numbers 8 . 19 , Numbers 16 . 9 , Numbers 16 . 10 , 2 Corinthians 4 . 5

Reciprocal . 2 Kings 23 . 22 . of the kings 1 Chronicles 15 . 2 . None ought to 1 Chronicles 23 . 28 . purifying 2 Chronicles 17 . 7 . to teach 2 Chronicles 30 . 17 . the Levites Nehemiah 8 . 9 . the Levites

Verse 4

the houses . 1 Chronicles 9 . 10-34 , Nehemiah 11 . 10-20

after your courses . The regulations formed by David , and established by Solomon , concerning the courses of the priests and Levites , were committed to writing , and preserved , for them to refer to continually. Josiah , as well as Hezekiah , required the priests and Levites to attend to their several duties , and encouraged them therein , but he neither added , altered , not retrenched anything . he merely enforced what had been established in the law , and in the regulations made by David and the contemporary prophets . "the commandment of the king....was by the word of the Lord." 1 Chronicles 23 . 1 . 1 Chronicles 26 . 32

and according . 2 Chronicles 8 . 14

Reciprocal . 2 Chronicles 5 . 11 . wait by course 2 Chronicles 35 . 10 . the priests Ezra 6 . 18 . the priests

Verse 5

And stand . Psalm 134 . 1 , Psalm 135 . 2

families of the fathers . Heb. house of the fathers

people . Heb. sons of the people.

Reciprocal . Exodus 12 . 21 . and take 2 Chronicles 35 . 10 . the priests Ezra 6 . 18 . the priests

Verse 6

So kill . 2 Chronicles 30 . 15-17 , Exodus 12 . 6 , Exodus 12 . 21 , Exodus 12 . 22 , Ezra 6 . 20 , Ezra 6 . 21

sanctify . 2 Chronicles 29 . 5 , 2 Chronicles 29 . 15 , 2 Chronicles 29 . 34 , 2 Chronicles 30 . 3 , 2 Chronicles 30 . 15-19 , Genesis 35 . 2 , Exodus 19 . 10 , Exodus 19 . 15 , Numbers 19 . 11-20 , Job 1 . 5 , Psalm 51 . 7 , Joel 2 . 16 , Hebrews 9 . 13 , Hebrews 9 . 14

Reciprocal . 1 Chronicles 15 . 12 . sanctify

Verse 7

Josiah . 2 Chronicles 7 . 8-10 , 2 Chronicles 30 . 24 , Isaiah 32 . 8 , Ezekiel 45 . 17

gave . Heb. offered , 1 Kings 8 . 63

thirty thousand . According to the calculation , that not fewer than ten , nor more than twenty persons , were to join for one kid or lamb , the numbers given on this occasion would suffice for above 400 ,000 persons.

the king's substance . 1 Kings 8 . 63 , 1 Chronicles 29 . 3

Reciprocal . Exodus 12 . 3 . lamb Leviticus 23 . 38 . and beside Deuteronomy 16 . 2 . sacrifice 2 Samuel 6 . 19 . he dealt 1 Chronicles 16 . 3 . to every one 2 Chronicles 7 . 5 . a sacrifice Jeremiah 22 . 15 . eat Ezekiel 36 . 38 . as the flock Mark 12 . 44 . cast in of

Verse 8

his princes . 2 Chronicles 29 . 31-33 , 1 Chronicles 29 . 6-9 , 1 Chronicles 29 . 17 , Ezra 1 . 6 , Ezra 2 . 68 , Ezra 2 . 69 , Ezra 7 . 16 , Ezra 8 . 25-35 , Nehemiah 7 . 70-72 , Psalm 45 . 12 , Acts 2 . 44 , Acts 2 . 45 , Acts 4 . 34 , Acts 4 . 35

gave . Heb. offered

willingly . 2 Corinthians 8 . 12 , 2 Corinthians 9 . 7

Hilkiah . 2 Chronicles 34 . 14-20

rulers . 1 Chronicles 9 . 20 , 1 Chronicles 24 . 4 , 1 Chronicles 24 . 5 , Jeremiah 29 . 25 , Jeremiah 29 . 26 , Acts 4 . 1 , Acts 5 . 26

Reciprocal . Leviticus 23 . 38 . and beside Numbers 7 . 2 . offered Numbers 8 . 22 . after that 2 Samuel 6 . 19 . he dealt 1 Chronicles 6 . 13 . Hilkiah 1 Chronicles 16 . 3 . to every one 2 Chronicles 30 . 24 . did give Jeremiah 20 . 1 . chief Jeremiah 22 . 15 . eat Ezekiel 45 . 17 . the prince's Mark 12 . 44 . cast in of John 18 . 28 . eat

divided them speedily . Heb. made them run , Romans 12 . 11

Reciprocal . 2 Samuel 6 . 19 . he dealt Ezekiel 46 . 20 . boil the trespass

Verse 14

because the priests . Acts 6 . 2-4

Reciprocal . Leviticus 3 . 5 . Aaron's

Verse 15

place . Heb. station

according . 2 Chronicles 29 . 25 , 2 Chronicles 29 . 26 , 1 Chronicles 16 . 41 , 1 Chronicles 16 . 42 , 1 Chronicles 23 . 5 , 1 Chronicles 25 . 1-7 , Psalm 77 . 1 , Psalm 78 . 1 , Psalm 79 . 1 , *titles

the porters . 1 Chronicles 9 . 17-19 , 1 Chronicles 26 . 14-19

Reciprocal . 2 Samuel 20 . 26 . chief ruler 1 Chronicles 2 . 6 . Heman 1 Chronicles 6 . 32 . and then 1 Chronicles 6 . 39 . Asaph 1 Chronicles 9 . 16 . Obadiah 2 Chronicles 30 . 16 . they stood Ezra 3 . 10 . the sons of Asaph

Verse 16

Reciprocal . Genesis 45 . 21 . commandment

Verse 17

present . Heb. found

the feast . 2 Chronicles 30 . 21-23 , Exodus 12 . 15-20 , Exodus 13 . 6 , Exodus 13 . 7 , Exodus 23 . 15 , Exodus 34 . 18 , Leviticus 23 . 5-8 , Numbers 28 . 16-25 , Deuteronomy 16 . 3 , Deuteronomy 16 . 4 , Deuteronomy 16 . 8 , 1 Corinthians 5 . 7 , 1 Corinthians 5 . 8

Reciprocal . Ezra 6 . 22 . the feast Isaiah 17 . 7 . General John 18 . 28 . eat

Verse 18

there was no passover . Not one on purer principles , more heartily joined in by the people present , more literally or exactly consecrated , according to the law , or more religiously observed. The words do not refer to the number present , but to the manner and spirit. 2 Chronicles 30 . 5 , 2 Kings 23 . 21-23

neither did . 2 Chronicles 30 . 26 , 2 Chronicles 30 . 27

Reciprocal . Leviticus 23 . 5 . General 2 Kings 23 . 22 . Surely 2 Chronicles 21 . 2 . Israel Nehemiah 8 . 17 . done so Ecclesiastes 2 . 21 . whose Isaiah 17 . 7 . General John 18 . 28 . eat

Verse 19

Reciprocal . Leviticus 23 . 5 . General 2 Kings 23 . 22 . Surely

Verse 20

am 3394 , bc 610

temple . Heb. house

Necho . Pharaoh , the lame , says the Targumist. 2 Kings 23 . 29 , 2 Kings 23 . 30 , Pharaoh-necho , Jeremiah 46 . 2-12

Charchemish . Isaiah 10 . 9

Verse 21

What . 2 Samuel 16 . 10 , Matthew 8 . 29 , John 2 . 4

house wherewith I have war . Heb. house of my war

God . 2 Kings 18 . 25 , Isaiah 36 . 10

forbear thee . 2 Chronicles 25 . 19

Reciprocal . 1 Kings 17 . 18 . What have I 2 Kings 14 . 10 . why shouldest 2 Chronicles 35 . 22 . the mouth Jeremiah 46 . 2 . Pharaohnecho

Verse 22

Nevertheless . Josiah's conduct in this affair has been treated with great severity; and he has been charged with engaging rashly in an unjust war , and disregarding the express command of God. But Scripture no where condemns him; and Pharaoh , in marching through Josiah's territories , against his will , certainly committed an act of hostility. It is evident that Josiah was in possession of the whole land of Israel . 2 Chronicles 26 . 6 , and probably he held the northern parts of it as a grant from the king of Babylon; and was not only in alliance with him , but bound to guard his frontiers against hostile invaders. He may , therefore , be fairly justified from the charge of unjustly meddling in a war that did not belong him. It is true the ambassadors assured Josiah , that "God had commanded Pharaoh to make haste;" and he is therefore said not to have "hearkened to the words of Necho , from the mouth of God." But Necho produced no proof that he was a prophet of Jehovah; and the word he employed , elohim , may denote gods or idols; and critics have noticed that the expression , "from the mouth of God ," is not used when the true God is meant.

but disguised . 2 Chronicles 18 . 29 , 1 Kings 14 . 2 , 1 Kings 22 . 30 , 1 Kings 22 . 34

the mouth . 2 Chronicles 35 . 21 , 2 Chronicles 18 . 4-6 , Joshua 9 . 14

Megiddo . Judges 5 . 19 , 2 Kings 9 . 27 , 2 Kings 23 . 30 , Zechariah 12 . 11 , Megiddon , Revelation 16 . 16 , Armageddon

Reciprocal . Joshua 17 . 11 . Megiddo 1 Kings 9 . 15 . Megiddo 1 Kings 22 . 12 . Go up 1 Chronicles 7 . 29 . Megiddo 2 Chronicles 36 . 12 . the mouth