King Josiah Ignores a Warning from God Delivered by a Pagan Pharaoh and Is Shot Dead

Pharaoh Necho of Egypt marches north to fight at Carchemish. He sends envoys to King Josiah saying: 'What quarrel is there between you and me, king of Judah? I am not fighting you today, but the house with which I am at war. God told me to hurry — stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.' Josiah does not listen. He disguises himself and goes out to fight. The archers shoot King Josiah, and he tells his officers: 'Take me away, I am badly wounded.' They remove him from his chariot, put him in his other chariot, and bring him to Jerusalem, where he dies. All Judah and Jerusalem mourn for him. Jeremiah composes laments for him.