* Nevertheless.
Josiah's conduct in this affair has been treated with great
severity; and he has been charged with engaging rashly in an
unjust war, and disregarding the express command of God. But
Scripture no where condemns him; and Pharaoh, in marching
through Josiah's territories, against his will, certainly
committed an act of hostility. It is evident that Josiah was
in possession of the whole land of Israel (ch. 26:6); and
probably he held the northern parts of it as a grant from the
king of Babylon; and was not only in alliance with him, but
bound to guard his frontiers against hostile invaders. He
may, therefore, be fairly justified from the charge of
unjustly meddling in a war that did not belong him. It is
true the ambassadors assured Josiah, that "God had commanded
Pharaoh to make haste;" and he is therefore said not to have
"hearkened to the words of Necho, from the mouth of God." But
Necho produced no proof that he was a prophet of Jehovah; and
the word he employed, {elohim,} may denote gods or idols; and
critics have noticed that the expression, "from the mouth of
God," is not used when the true God is meant.
* but disguised.
18:29 1Ki 14:2 22:30,34
* the mouth.
21 18:4-6 Jos 9:14
* Megiddo.
Jud 5:19 2Ki 9:27 23:30 Zec 12:11
* Megiddon.
Re 16:16
* Armageddon.
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