2 Kings 23:28-30
"28 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 29 In his days Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt went up to the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates. King Josiah went to meet him, and Pharaoh Neco killed him at Megiddo, as soon as he saw him. 30 And his servants carried him dead in a chariot from Megiddo and brought him to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's place."
The account of Josiah's death is given in more detail in 2 Chronicles 35:20-27. What a tragic end to a fine and noble reign! It seems clear, from the fuller narrative, that Josiah was foolhardy and rash in going out against Necho, king of Egypt, and that the latter's words to him (2 Chronicles 35:21) were far truer than the king could have realised - 'Forbear thee from meddling with God....that He destroy thee not.' This was surely a device of the devil, and is written for our learning. Josiah had succeeded in effecting the most widespread spiritual re- newal that had been known for hundreds of years, and in his very success had brought him- self to the point where he became the target of the powers of darkness. Success in spiritual work is always dangerous in that it invites the particular attentions of the devil. Woe betide any man who becomes unwary and careless in such an hour! He will prove no match for his wily foe. We may remember with profit here, Paul's words in Ephesians 6:13 about withstanding in the evil day, 'and having done all to stand.' If only Josiah had enquired of the Lord whether he should go out or not, as David used to do (see 2 Samuel 5:19, 23). How easy it is, especially in the flush of triumph and victory, to become over-confident and to mistake momentary impulses for the leading and directive of the Spirit of God. Beware of sudden impulses, and cultivate the quiet spirit that learns to recognise the still small voice of God as He speaks. Many are the disastrous consequences that would be avoided if we did so.