2 Chronicles 35:22

Arabic SVD 1865 Version (Smith and Van Dyke)

ولم يحوّل يوشيا وجهه عنه بل تنكّر لمقاتلته ولم يسمع لكلام نخو من فم الله بل جاء ليحارب في بقعة مجدو.

What Does This Mean?

King Josiah refused to avoid a battle with Necho, the king of Egypt, even though Necho warned him that fighting was not God's will. Josiah disguised himself but still decided to fight in the valley of Megiddo.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a friend who tells you not to play in a dangerous place because your parents said it's not safe. But you decide to wear a costume and go anyway. That's like Josiah, who didn't listen to his friend Necho's warning from God.

Historical Background

This verse is from the Book of 2 Chronicles, written by the Chronicler, a priestly author, in the post-exilic period (around 400 BCE). It was written for the Jewish community returning from exile, and it highlights the importance of following God's will.

Living It Out Today

Consider a situation where a friend advises you to avoid a risky project, but you decide to proceed anyway. Like Josiah, sometimes we ignore good advice, thinking we know better, but it can lead to unfortunate outcomes.

Topics

• obedience
• advice
• battle
• leadership
• consequences
• God's will

Related Verses

• Joshua 11:1-15
• 2 Kings 23:29-30
• 1 Samuel 28:3-20
• 2 Chronicles 35:25
• Romans 12:2

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Josiah refuse to listen to Necho?

Josiah may have been confident in his own judgment or felt a sense of duty to protect his territory, leading him to disregard Necho's warning from God.

What were the consequences of Josiah's decision?

Josiah's decision to fight against Necho resulted in his death, which is a significant consequence of not following God's guidance and ignoring wise counsel.

How does this verse relate to following God's will?

This verse highlights the importance of listening to God's will and the potential dangers of ignoring divine guidance, as Josiah's fate illustrates.

What can we learn about leadership from this verse?

Leaders should be open to good advice and consider the spiritual guidance available to them, as Josiah's example shows the negative outcomes of ignoring such guidance.