Definition: After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 35:20. It's a pretty important moment in history! Here's the explanation in simple terms: Basically, it means: After Josiah, the ruler of Egypt, Necho, challenged and fought against him because he was trying to take over Carchemish (a city near modern-day Lebanon). Let’s unpack it a little: “After all this…” : This tells us we're talking about a period before something else happened. “…when Josiah had prepared the temple…” : Josiah was in charge of building and maintaining the Temple in Jerusalem, which was incredibly important for the people of Israel. He was working hard to make it safe and beautiful. "...Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates..." : Necho was a powerful ruler from Egypt who wanted to conquer the region surrounding Carchemish (the city Josiah was protecting). He launched an attack. "...and Josiah went out against him." : Josiah, knowing he needed to protect his people and his temple, led an army to confront Necho. So, it’s a story of a conflict between two powerful rulers – Josiah of Egypt and Necho of Egypt – that was ultimately about protecting the region and its people. What's the significance? This verse is significant because it shows: Josiah’s Leadership: It highlights Josiah’s dedication to his duty as king. Conflict & Challenge: It demonstrates a challenge to someone who sought to dominate another kingdom. Divine Intervention (Maybe): Some interpretations suggest this event was a sign that God was watching over the region and intervening to protect the Israelites. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail, or would you like me to connect it to a specific theme in the Bible? For example, we could talk about: The importance of temple building The themes of judgment and repentance The broader context of conflict between nations