Necho was the Pharaoh of Egypt during the reign of King Josiah. He led his army north to attack Assyria, which was expanding its power at the time, and naturally passed through the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Josiah waged war to stop him but was killed.
2 Kings 23:29His servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. The people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father’s place.2 Kings 23:30Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
2 Chronicles 35:20But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, “What have I to do with you, you king of Judah? I come not against you today, but against the house with which I have war. God has commanded me to make haste. Beware that it is God who is with me, that he not destroy you.”2 Chronicles 35:21Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and didn’t listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.2 Chronicles 35:22The archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, “Take me away, because I am seriously wounded!”2 Chronicles 35:23So his servants took him out of the chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had, and brought him to Jerusalem); and he died, and was buried in the tombs of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.2 Chronicles 35:24Jeremiah lamented for Josiah, and all the singing men and singing women spoke of Josiah in their lamentations to this day; and they made them an ordinance in Israel. Behold, they are written in the lamentations.
이후, 요시야의 아들 여호아하스(유다왕)이 뒤를 이어 왕이 되었는데, 느고는 그를 가두고 다른 아들 엘리아김(여호야김)을 왕으로 세운다.
2 Kings 23:31He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, according to all that his fathers had done.2 Kings 23:32Pharaoh Necoh put him in bonds at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of one hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.2 Kings 23:33Pharaoh Necoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah) king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim; but he took Jehoahaz away, and he came to Egypt and died there.2 Kings 23:34Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh. He exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, from everyone according to his assessment, to give it to Pharaoh Necoh.2 Kings 23:35Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
2 Chronicles 36:4Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did that which was evil in Yahweh his God’s sight.
이후, 그는 바벨론의 느부갓네살왕에게 패하고 하나님으로부터 심판의 말을 듣게 된다.
Jeremiah 46:2“Prepare the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle!