2 Kings 23:29-30 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:30

And his servants carried him in a chariot —his "second chariot," according to the writer of Chronicles ( 2 Chronicles 35:24 ), which was probably one kept in reserve in case flight should be necessary, of lighter construction, and drawn by fleeter horses, than his war-chariot— dead from Megiddo. Wounded to death, that is. From Chronicles we gather that his wound, which was from an arrow, was not immediately fatal ( 2 Chronicles 35:23 , 2 Chronicles 35:24 ); but that he died of it on... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 23:29

Pharaoh-Nechoh - This king is well known to us both from profane historians, and from the Egyptian monuments. He succeeded his father Psammetichus (Psamatik) in the year 610 B.C., and was king of Egypt for 16 years. He was an enlightened and enterprising monarch. The great expedition here mentioned was an attempt to detach from the newly-formed Babylonian empire the important tract of country extending from Egypt to the Euphrates at Carchemish. Calculating probably on the friendship or... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 23:30

Dead - It appears from a comparison of this passage with 2 Chronicles (marginal reference) that Josiah was not actually killed in the battle.Jehoahaz - Or Shallum (the marginal note). He may have taken the name of Jehoahaz (“the Lord possesses”) on his accession. He was not the eldest son of Josiah (see 2 Kings 23:36 note). The mention of “anointing” here favors the view that there was some irregularity in the succession (see 1 Kings 1:34 note). read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 23:29

2 Kings 23:29. In his days Pharaoh-nechoh, king of Egypt, went up, &c. According to Herodotus, Nechoh was the proper name of this monarch, Pharaoh being the general name of all their kings, as has been before observed in these notes. He tells us he was the son and successor of Psammeticus, king of Egypt, and a man of a bold and enterprising spirit; that he made an attempt to join the Nile and the Red sea, by drawing a canal from the one to the other; that, though he failed in this... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 23:30

2 Kings 23:30. His servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo That is, mortally wounded, as in the former verse; and, as we commonly say of a sick man, past hopes of recovery, that he is a dead man. Instead of dead, Houbigant reads dying. The people took Jehoahaz, and made him king Who was younger than Jehoiakim, yet preferred by the people before the elder brother; either because Jehoiakim refused the kingdom for fear of Pharaoh, whom he knew he should hereby provoke; or,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 23:28-30

Egypt and Babylon (23:28-30)During the years of Assyria’s declining power, Egypt took the opportunity to extend its influence. But Babylon had now risen to power, and in 612 BC it conquered Nineveh. Pharaoh Necho of Egypt, fearing this Babylonian expansion, went to help what was left of Assyria to withstand Babylon. He no doubt hoped that Assyria might yet form some sort of defence barrier between Egypt and Babylon.Josiah apparently saw this Assyrian-Egyptian alliance as a threat to Judah’s... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Kings 23:29

Pharaoh-nechoh: i.e. Nechoh II, the sixth king of the twentysixth dynasty. His father was a tributary to Assyria, but had secured independence for Egypt. the king of Assyria: i.e. the king of Babylon, who had just conquered Nineveh, the rival capital. went against him. His motive not known. he = the king of Egypt. him = Josiah. Megiddo. Southern margin of the plain of Esdraelon, celebrated for Syria's defeat by Barak (Judges 5:19 ). seen. Figure of speech Tapeinosis , to emphasize the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Kings 23:30

buried him. For the sorrow attending this, see 2 Chronicles 35:25 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Kings 23:29

2 Kings 23:29. In his days Pharaoh-nechoh, king of Egypt, went up, &c.— We have heretofore observed, that Pharaoh in the Egyptian language signifies king: but Nechoh, according to Herodotus, was the proper name of this monarch; though some will have it to be an appellative signifying lame, because this Pharaoh, as they suppose, had a lameness, proceeding from some wound which he had received in war. The same historian tells us, that he was the son and successor of Psammeticus, king of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 23:29

29. In his days Pharaoh-nechoh—(See 2 Chronicles 35:20-27). read more