King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 35:24 Mean?

2 Chronicles 35:24 in the King James Version says “His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. in one: or, among the sepulchres”

2 Chronicles 35:24 · KJV

Context

22

Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.

23

And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. wounded: Heb. made sick

24

His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. in one: or, among the sepulchres

25

And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.

26

Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the LORD, goodness: Heb. kindnesses

Read 2 Chronicles 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.

This verse is part of the narrative of Judah's kings, specifically addressing Greatest worship celebration since Samuel's time. The Chronicler's theological perspective emphasizes immediate divine retribution—kings who seek God prosper, while those who forsake Him face judgment. This pattern provides instruction for the post-exilic community on the conditions for God's blessing.

The account demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. Even in judgment, God preserves a remnant and offers restoration through repentance. The repeated cycle of apostasy, judgment, and restoration reveals both human sinfulness and divine mercy. References to the temple, proper worship, and priestly service emphasize the Chronicler's concern for correct religious observance.

Theologically, these accounts point beyond immediate history to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line. Despite repeated failures, God preserves David's dynasty, anticipating the perfect King who will reign in righteousness. The pattern of judgment for sin and restoration through repentance prefigures the gospel message of salvation through Christ.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This passage occurs during the divided monarchy period when Judah existed separately from northern Israel. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective, addressing the restored community in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile (539 BCE onward). His emphasis on temple worship, proper religious observance, and God's covenant faithfulness speaks directly to the needs of his audience who had just rebuilt the temple and were reestablishing their identity as God's people.

The historical context demonstrates both God's judgment on persistent sin and His readiness to restore those who genuinely repent. The Chronicler omits most northern kingdom material, focusing on Judah and the Davidic line to emphasize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Lachish, Beersheba, and Jerusalem corroborate the biblical accounts of various kings' reigns and building projects.

Understanding the Chronicler's post-exilic perspective is crucial—he's not merely recording history but applying past lessons to his contemporary audience, showing that the same principles of seeking God, maintaining proper worship, and covenant faithfulness that determined blessing or judgment in the past still apply.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse illustrate the principle of divine retribution (blessing for obedience, judgment for sin)?
  2. What specific applications does this passage have for maintaining spiritual faithfulness in contemporary Christian life?
  3. How does this account point to God's ultimate purposes through the Davidic line and the coming Messiah?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיַּֽעֲבִירֻ֨הוּ1 of 22

“therefore took”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

עֲבָדָ֜יו2 of 22

“His servants”

H5650

a servant

מִן3 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמֶּרְכָּבָ֗ה4 of 22

“him out of that chariot”

H4818

a chariot

וַֽיַּרְכִּיבֻהוּ֮5 of 22

“and put”

H7392

to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch

עַ֣ל6 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רֶ֣כֶב7 of 22

“chariot”

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

הַמִּשְׁנֶה֮8 of 22

“him in the second”

H4932

properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc

אֲשֶׁר9 of 22
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לוֹ֒10 of 22
H0
וַיּֽוֹלִיכֻ֙הוּ֙11 of 22
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם12 of 22

“and Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַיָּ֕מָת13 of 22

“and he died”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

וַיִּקָּבֵ֖ר14 of 22

“and was buried”

H6912

to inter

בְּקִבְר֣וֹת15 of 22

“in one of the sepulchres”

H6913

a sepulcher

אֲבֹתָ֑יו16 of 22

“of his fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְכָל17 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְהוּדָה֙18 of 22

“And all Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם19 of 22

“and Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

מִֽתְאַבְּלִ֖ים20 of 22

“mourned”

H56

to bewail

עַל21 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יֹֽאשִׁיָּֽהוּ׃22 of 22

“for Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Chronicles 35:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Chronicles 35:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 12:112 Kings 23:302 Chronicles 34:28Psalms 36:6Ecclesiastes 8:14Ecclesiastes 9:1-2

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 35 →

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