Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 35:22
Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
22. disguised himself ] Josiah, like Ahab (2Ch 18:29), took the warning so far seriously as to think that his life was in danger and that he would be safer fighting in disguise. The (“was strengthened”) of the LXX. represents an inferior reading.
the valley of Megiddo ] Cp. Jdg 5:19; Zec 12:11. In 1Es 1:29 , “the plain of Megiddo.” The whole (or perhaps only the western part) of the plain of Esdrelon is meant; cp. 1Ch 10:7, note.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Disguised himself – Compare the marginal reference. But most modern critics are dissatisfied with this sense in this place, and prefer to render equipped himself; or – with the Septuagint – adopt another reading, and render took courage.
The words of Necho from the mouth of God – The author apparently regarded Nechos words as actually prophetic – a warning to which Josiah ought to have listened – sent him by God to make him pause – though not spoken by divine inspiration, or in consequence of any supernatural revelation of the divine will to the Egyptian king. Compare the prophecy of Caiaphas, Joh 11:51.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Josiah would not turn his face from him; being peradventure encouraged to do so by a misinterpretation of that promise made to him, 2Ch 34:28,
Thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace: thus God overrules the errors and miscarriages of men to the accomplishment of his own counsels.
Disguised himself; changed his habit, that he might not give his enemies the advantage of aiming at his person, which he wisely thought they would do, that being a likely course to end their trouble, as indeed it proved.
Unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God; either,
1. Which Pharaoh sent to him in the name of God, or as coming from Gods month. Or rather,
2. Which Pharaoh received from the month of God, who was pleased some way or other to impart his mind to him; and which Pharaoh acquainted him with by the command of God. And therefore Josiah is here blamed for not hearkening to this message. Although, if he sinned herein, it was only a sin of ignorance, for he did not know that God had spoken this to Pharaoh, and was not bound to believe his testimony, which he had good reason to suspect in this matter. Yet, methinks, he ought so far to have regarded it, as to have inquired the mind of God about it; which he neglected to do, and therefore he cannot be wholly excused, and is here taxed for it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Nevertheless, Josiah would not turn his face from him,…. Or withdraw his forces, and go back:
but disguised himself that he might fight with him; without being personally known, and aimed at, see 1Ki 22:30
and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God: not believing that what he said came from the Lord, though it might; and his infirmity was, that he did not inquire of the Lord about it:
and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo; which was in the tribe of Manasseh, thought to be the Magdolum of Herodotus, where he says Necho fought the battle z; [See comments on 2Ki 23:29].
z Gale in Herodot. ut supra. (Euterpe, sive, l. 2. c. 159. & Galei not. in ib.)
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(22) But disguised himself.Like Ahab (2Ch. 18:29). The LXX. reads, he strengthened himself, or persisted (). (Comp. 3 Esdr. 1:28.) This implies the reading hithchazzaq instead of hithchappsh. It is wholly unlikely that disguised himself is used in the figurative sense of departed from his true cha racter, as Keil and Zckler think.
The words of Necho from the mouth of God.The warning of Necho was really divine, as the event proved. For words of Necho, 3 Esdr. 1:26 has, words of the prophet Jeremiah; but there is no trace of such a warning in the extant prophecies bearing his name.
In the valley of Megiddo.The valley of the Kishon, where Deborah and Barak had fought in the olden time against Jabin and Sisera. Herodotus (ii. 159) calls the place Magdolus. (See on 2Ki. 23:29.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 35:22. But disguised himself But encouraged himself. Houbigant; who, in the 15th verse, instead of the king’s seer, reads, the king’s seers.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Ch 35:22 Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
Ver. 22. Nevertheless Josiah, &c. ] See 2Ki 23:29 . He should have considered that the chance of war is uncertain, and oft mischievous to both sides, &c.
And hearkened not unto the words of Necho.
In the valley of Megiddo.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
disguised himself. As Ahab had done (2Ch 18:29. 1Ki 22:30).
Megiddo. Compare 2Ki 23:29.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
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 – 2Ch 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: 2Ch 18:29, 1Ki 14:2, 1Ki 22:30, 1Ki 22:34
the mouth: 2Ch 35:21, 2Ch 18:4-6, Jos 9:14
Megiddo: Jdg 5:19, 2Ki 9:27, 2Ki 23:30, Zec 12:11, Megiddon, Rev 16:16, Armageddon
Reciprocal: Jos 17:11 – Megiddo 1Ki 9:15 – Megiddo 1Ki 22:12 – Go up 1Ch 7:29 – Megiddo 2Ch 36:12 – the mouth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ch 35:22. Josiah would not turn his face from him Being, peradventure, encouraged to go out against him by a misinterpretation of that promise made to him, chap. 2Ch 34:28, Thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace. Thus God overrules the errors and miscarriages of men to the accomplishment of his own counsels. But disguised himself Changed his habit, that he might not give his enemies the advantage of aiming at his person, which he wisely thought they would do, that being a likely course to end their trouble, as indeed it proved. And hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God Either, 1st, which Pharaoh sent to him in the name of God; or rather, 2d, which Pharaoh received from the mouth of God; who was pleased, some way or other, to impart his mind to him, and which Pharaoh acquainted him with by the command of God. And therefore Josiah is here blamed for not hearkening to this message: although, if he sinned herein, it was only a sin of ignorance, for he did not know that God had spoken this to Pharaoh, and was not bound to believe his testimony, which he had good reason to suspect in this matter. Yet, it seems, he ought so far to have regarded it, as to have inquired into the mind of God about it, which he neglected to do, and therefore cannot be wholly excused. How can we think to prosper in our ways, if we do not acknowledge God in them?
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
35:22 Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but {l} disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
(l) That is, armed or disguised himself so that he would not be recognized.