Josiah Dies in Battle

20 cAfter all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against dCarchemish by the Euphrates; and Josiah went out against him. 21 But he sent messengers to him, saying, “What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I have not come against you this day, but against the house with which I have war; for God commanded me to make haste. Refrain from meddling with God, who is with me, lest He destroy you.” 22 Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but edisguised himself so that he might fight with him, and did not heed the words of Necho from the mouth of God. So he came to fight in the Valley of Megiddo.

23 And the archers shot King Josiah; and the king said to his servants, “Take me away, for I am severely wounded.” 24 fHis 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 gall Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.

25 Jeremiah also hlamented for iJosiah. And to this day jall the singing men and the singing women speak of Josiah in their lamentations. kThey made it a custom in Israel; and indeed they are written in the Laments.