Atheist argument.
>Try deflating this one:
>2 Kings 22:20 states the prophecy that King
>Josiah would die in peace, that he would "be gathered unto thy grave in
>peace." However, 2 Kings 23:29-30 and 2 Chronicles 35:23-24 tell us that
>Josiah died because he was shot full of arrows and then transported on a
>chariot.
>
Answer:
Have you actually read this for yourself? This doesn't remotely show a conflict of what God has promised.
Josiah found the book of the law in the temple. Judah had abandoned God for many, many years and the law was forgotten by all of the people. When the temple was being repaired, a priest found the book of the law and brought it to Josiah. Josiah read the judgment appointed to those who disobeyed God and he was so stunned that he tore his clothes and wept before God. God answered his inquiries and said that Judah would be punished and laid desolate and all of the curses foretold in the law would come upon Judah. But because Josiah humbled himself and repented it would not come in his lifetime and Judah would be at peace until Josiah died. This promise was kept.
Pharaoh Necho went up to fight against the king of Assyria - not Judah, and not Josiah. Josiah went up to fight against pharaoh Necho and the pharaoh said, "What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I have not come against you this day, but against the house with which I have war; for God commanded me to make haste. Refrain from meddling with God, who is with me, lest He destroy you."
Notice pharaoh tried to avoid conflict with Josiah and never attacked Judah. The land was at peace just as God promised. Josiah refused to listen to the warning and was shot by archers during the battle between Egypt and Assyria as he disguised himself so they would not know he was king of Judah. Your claim that God did not fulfill His promise does not fit this passage.