But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.
But he sent messengers to him, saying, 'What business do I have with you, king of Judah? I'm not coming against you today, but against the kingdom I'm at war with. God has commanded me to hurry, so stop interfering with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.'
The Egyptian pharaoh is warning King Josiah to stay out of his way because God has commanded him to fight elsewhere, and interfering could lead to Josiah's destruction.
📚 Historical Context
This is Pharaoh Neco of Egypt speaking to King Josiah of Judah around 609 BC. Neco was marching north to help the Assyrians fight against the rising Babylonian empire at Carchemish. Josiah attempted to block the Egyptian army's passage through his territory, despite Neco's warning that God had commanded this military campaign.
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