Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this Bible passage together. It’s a really important and somewhat dramatic verse from the Book of 2 Chronicles. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse describes the death of King Josiah, who was a ruler of Judah (a region in Israel) during the time of the Babylonians. The Babylonians captured him and took him away to their city – Jerusalem – where he died. After his death, the people of Judah and Jerusalem were deeply saddened by his passing. Let’s break it down word-by-word: “His servants therefore took him out of that chariot…” : This means that a group of officials and people who served Josiah (perhaps his advisors or loyal followers) carefully removed him from his chariot – which was likely a very important vehicle for carrying him around. “…and put him in the second chariot that he had…” : They then moved him to another, smaller chariot that Josiah already owned. It’s like taking a significant step away from his position of power. “And they brought him to Jerusalem…” : This is the key part – they took him back to the city of Jerusalem, where he was previously ruling. “…and he died, and was buried in [one of] the sepulchres of his fathers.” : This means that Josiah died in Jerusalem. And, crucially, after his death, his body was buried in a burial ground – a sepulcher (a small, covered tomb) belonging to his father or ancestors. “And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah” : This is the emotional consequence of this event. The people of Judah and Jerusalem were very upset and saddened by Josiah’s death. They grieved because he had been a leader who had angered the Babylonians, and his passing brought about a loss of leadership and stability. Overall Meaning: The verse tells us that Josiah died in Jerusalem after being captured by the Babylonians. His death caused great sorrow and mourning throughout Judah and Jerusalem. It’s a story of loss, betrayal, and the impact of events on a community. What does it tell us about the time? This passage is from a period when Judah was under Babylonian rule – meaning they were being controlled by foreign powers. It's a significant moment in history because it demonstrates that Josiah’s actions (perhaps involving breaking a covenant with God) had serious consequences for his people, leading to their suffering and mourning. Important Note: The exact details of what happened to Josiah are debated among scholars. However, this verse is one of the most important and emotionally charged passages in 2 Chronicles. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Discuss the significance of this event within the broader story of ancient Israel? Connect it to other biblical stories or themes?