In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.
During Josiah's reign, Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt marched his army toward the Euphrates River to fight against the king of Assyria. King Josiah went out to battle against him, and Pharaoh Necho killed Josiah at Megiddo when they met in combat.
This verse tells us that King Josiah was killed in battle at Megiddo while trying to stop the Egyptian army from marching north to fight Assyria.
📚 Historical Context
This event occurred around 609 BC during a period of major political upheaval in the ancient Near East. The Assyrian Empire was collapsing, and Egypt was trying to support them against the rising Babylonian power. King Josiah, one of Judah's most righteous kings who had led major religious reforms, apparently saw Egypt's march through his territory as a threat and chose to intercept them at the strategic location of Megiddo.
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