Table of Contents
The Great Passover Celebration (2 Chronicles 35:1-19)
2 Chronicles 35:1-6 Josiah celebrated the Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem. The Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month. He appointed the priests to their duties. He encouraged them in the service of the temple of the Lord. He said to the Levites who were teachers of all Israel, “Put the holy ark in the temple that Solomon son of David, king of Israel, built. You no longer need to carry it on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and his people Israel.
Serve the Lord your God and his people Israel. Prepare yourselves by families, according to your divisions, as prescribed by David, king of Israel, and by his son Solomon. Stand in the holy place. Distribute the offering for the people, by divisions of the Levites’ families.” These verses describe the organization of the Passover. Josiah, having discovered the Book of the Law, was determined to follow God’s commands precisely. This Passover was not a casual event.
It was meticulously planned. He assigned the priests to their roles. He instructed the Levites to prepare themselves and the people for the sacrifice. The command about the ark of the covenant is a key detail. It indicates that the ark had been moved, perhaps for safekeeping during Manasseh’s idolatry. Its permanent placement in the temple was an important act of restoration. The phrase “teachers of all Israel” highlights the Levites’ dual role. They were not only temple servants but also instructors of the law.
2 Chronicles 35:7-9 Josiah provided for the people’s Passover celebration. He gave 30,000 lambs and young goats. He also gave 3,000 bulls. These were for the people’s sacrifices. His officials also gave willingly to the people, the priests, and the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the officials in charge of the temple, gave the priests 2,600 Passover sacrifices and 300 bulls.
Conaniah and his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, and Hashabiah, Jeiel and Jozabad, the Levite leaders, provided 5,000 lambs and young goats and 500 bulls for the Levites. This section shows the generosity of Josiah and his leaders. The immense number of animals provided ensured that every person could participate. It was a communal effort. The king led by example. His officials followed suit. This reflects a unified commitment to God’s commands. The provision of sacrifices for all showed a spirit of hospitality and shared worship. It was an outward sign of the inner revival happening in the nation. This generosity also made it a truly national event. The people from all tribes of Israel were able to participate.
2 Chronicles 35:10-15 The service was arranged. The priests stood in their places. The Levites were in their divisions, as the king had commanded. The Passover lamb was slaughtered. The priests sprinkled the blood that they received from the Levites. The Levites skinned the animals. The burnt offerings were set aside. They were to be distributed to the people by families. The Levites also prepared the burnt offerings for themselves and for the priests. The priests were busy with the burnt offerings until nightfall. The Levites prepared for the priests. The Levite musicians were in their places.
The gatekeepers were at their stations. No one had to leave their duties. This section focuses on the orderliness of the ceremony. It was not a chaotic event. Everything was done according to the law. The priests and Levites worked together efficiently. The Levites prepared the burnt offerings for the people. They also helped the priests. The division of labor was critical to the smooth operation. This detail emphasizes that God desires worship that is both heartfelt and orderly. Every person had a role. Every role was important.
2 Chronicles 35:16-19 The entire service for the Lord was carried out on that day. The Passover was celebrated. The burnt offerings were sacrificed on the altar of the Lord. It was as King Josiah had commanded. The Israelites who were present celebrated the Passover. They also celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days.
No Passover like this had been celebrated in Israel since the time of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had celebrated such a Passover. This was a unique event. It was a time of great joy. The text emphasizes the scale and significance. It was the greatest Passover in a long time. It surpassed those celebrated by even David or Solomon. The celebration of the Festival of Unleavened Bread followed the Passover. It further cemented the people’s renewed commitment to God’s commands.
King Josiah’s Tragic End (2 Chronicles 35:20-27)
2 Chronicles 35:20-22 After all this, Josiah repaired the temple. Necho king of Egypt marched up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates River. Josiah went out to confront him. Necho sent messengers to him. He said, “What do you have against me, king of Judah? I am not attacking you today. I am attacking the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry. Stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.” Josiah would not turn away from him.
He disguised himself to fight. He would not listen to what Necho said. It was a message from God. He went to fight him in the plain of Megiddo. These verses describe the final moments of Josiah’s life. He was a righteous king, but he made a fatal mistake. He got involved in a conflict that was not his own. The Egyptian king Necho was on his way to fight the Assyrians. He warned Josiah not to interfere. Necho even claimed that God had sent him. This is a perplexing detail. A pagan king claiming to speak for God. However, Josiah’s refusal to listen was his downfall. He acted rashly. He did not seek God’s will. He was filled with confidence from his recent successes. His failure to consult God led to his death.
2 Chronicles 35:23-27 The archers shot King Josiah. He said to his servants, “Take me away. I am badly wounded.” His servants took him out of the chariot. They put him in his second chariot. They brought him to Jerusalem. He died. He was buried in the tombs of his ancestors. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah. All the male and female singers still sing about Josiah in their laments to this day. It became a custom in Israel. They are written in the Book of Laments. The other events of Josiah’s reign, his acts of devotion, and his deeds are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
These verses describe Josiah’s death and its aftermath. He was a good king who died in battle. His death was a great tragedy. The nation mourned him deeply. The great prophet Jeremiah also mourned him. His death was a sign of God’s judgment against the people. Although Josiah was a righteous king, the nation’s heart was not fully turned to God. The death of the good king was a warning. It signaled that the coming judgment was inevitable. It reminds us that even good people can make mistakes. The account of his death is a stark contrast to his life of devotion.
A Verse by Verse Commentary
2 Chronicles 35:1-3: Reinstating True Worship Josiah organized the Passover. He did it according to the Book of the Law. He restored the priests to their proper roles. This shows his dedication. His order for the Levites to place the ark in the temple was significant. It signified a complete return to true worship.
2 Chronicles 35:4-9: Preparation and Provision Josiah ordered the Levites to prepare themselves. He gave a massive number of animals for the sacrifices. This was a huge act of generosity. It was a visible sign of his commitment. It ensured everyone could participate. The leaders also gave willingly. This shows the collective heart of the nation was in this revival.
2 Chronicles 35:10-15: Orderly Service The entire Passover ceremony was a model of order and efficiency. The priests and Levites worked in harmony. The text details their precise tasks. This demonstrates that true worship is not chaotic. It is done with reverence and care. Every person had a specific role.
2 Chronicles 35:16-19: A Historic Celebration The Passover celebration was unparalleled. The text says there was no Passover like it since the time of Samuel. This shows the depth of the spiritual revival. It also highlights Josiah’s unique role. He was a catalyst for this nationwide return to God. This celebration was a peak moment in the history of Judah.
2 Chronicles 35:20-22: A Fatal Mistake Josiah’s righteousness did not prevent him from making a serious error. He went to war against Necho of Egypt. He did not consult God. He dismissed Necho’s words, which were from God. This was an act of pride. His righteousness was a shield, but his disobedience was a hole in that shield. He was fighting God’s will.
2 Chronicles 35:23-27: A Tragic Death Josiah’s death was tragic. He was wounded by archers and died. His death was not a reward for his good life. It was a consequence of a single act of disobedience. The nation mourned him. The prophet Jeremiah mourned him. This mourning was a recognition of the loss of their good king. His death also marked the end of the last great revival. It foreshadowed the coming judgment.
Cross references
2 Chronicles 35:1 with Deuteronomy 16:1-8 The details of Josiah’s Passover celebration in 2 Chronicles 35 follow the commands in Deuteronomy 16. Deuteronomy gives specific instructions for the Passover. It says the Passover sacrifices must be offered at the central sanctuary. Josiah’s actions show his strict adherence to this law.
2 Chronicles 35:1 with Exodus 12:1-20 Exodus 12 provides the original instructions for the Passover. It describes the killing of the lamb and the eating of unleavened bread. Josiah’s Passover was a return to these original instructions. It was a powerful reminder of God’s deliverance from Egypt.
2 Chronicles 35:18 with 2 Kings 23:22 Both 2 Chronicles and 2 Kings state that this was the greatest Passover since the time of the judges. 2 Kings 23:22 confirms this. This shows the unprecedented nature of Josiah’s revival. It underscores his dedication to God’s law.
2 Chronicles 35:20 with 2 Kings 23:29 Both accounts mention Josiah’s confrontation with Pharaoh Necho. 2 Kings 23:29 also says that Josiah went to meet him at Megiddo. The account in Chronicles provides more detail about the conversation with Necho. It includes Necho’s warning to Josiah.
2 Chronicles 35:25 with Jeremiah 22:10 The prophet Jeremiah’s mourning for Josiah is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 35:25. Jeremiah 22:10 hints at this mourning. It tells the people not to weep for the dead king, but for his successor. This shows the depth of the tragedy. It also reveals that the nation’s spiritual decline continued after Josiah’s death.