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Chapter 35 records the keeping of the keeping of the covenant made in the previous chapter and the observance of the Passover. The Passover was celebrated on the first day of April in Jerusalem. The priests were re-established in their duties and the Levites, the religious teachers in Judah, were sanctified. They were told by the king to organize themselves according to the instructions that were given to them by their ancestor David. They were to kill the Passover lambs and prepare to assist the people that came.
The king contributed 30,000 lambs and young goats for the Passover and 3,000 young bulls. The other officials of the king made similar contributions. When everything was organized, the king gave the order and the Levites killed the Passover lambs and gave the blood to the Priests to sprinkle upon the altar.
The singers, the Sons of Asaph, were in their places and contributed according to the instructions of David. The entire Passover was completed in one day. Never since the time of Samuel had there been such a Passover. This all happened in the 18th year of the reign of Josiah. The Passover was followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which lasted 7 days.
Then King Neco of Egypt led his army against the Assyrians and Josiah declared war on him. The King of Egypt sent Ambassadors to Josiah and told him that they did not want any trouble with Judah They had come to fight the Assyrians, but Josiah refused to turn back. He led his army into battle in the Valley of Megiddo and was fatally wounded by the archers of Egypt. He asked to be taken out of the battle so they placed him in a chariot and brought him back to Jerusalem where he died. He was buried in the Royal Cemetery and all Judah mourned his passing. To this day, Temple choirs sing songs about his death. At his death, his son, Jehoahaz, became king.
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