What were Laments?

In 2 Chronicles 35:25, “Laments” are not a person but refer to the songs of mourning composed for the death of King Josiah, one of Judah’s last godly kings. The Hebrew root word used here is “קִינָה” (qinah), meaning lamentation, dirge, or funeral song. These were structured poetic expressions of deep grief and national sorrow over the tragic loss of a righteous leader. The passage says:

“Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah, and to this day all the male and female singers commemorate Josiah in the laments. These became a tradition in Israel and are written in the Laments.” — 2 Chronicles 35:25 (NIV)

The mention of “Laments” refers to a collection or category of mourning songs, some of which may have been preserved in now-lost texts or traditions and possibly reflected in the structure of the biblical Book of Lamentations.

Biblical References and Cross-References

• 2 Chronicles 35:25 – The primary reference to the laments composed for King Josiah.

• Lamentations 1-5 – Though not directly named here, the Book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, echoes similar themes of grief, loss, and national devastation.

• 2 Samuel 1:17-27 – David’s lament over Saul and Jonathan (the “Song of the Bow”) is an earlier example of a national mourning song.

• Jeremiah 22:10; 22:18-19 – Jeremiah prophetically weeps over Judah’s kings and the fate of the nation.

The Event: Mourning King Josiah

King Josiah was mortally wounded at the Battle of Megiddo while trying to intercept Pharaoh Necho of Egypt. His death marked the beginning of Judah’s rapid spiritual and political decline. When Josiah died, the nation was devastated, and Jeremiah—already a prophet at that time—led the mourning through specially composed lamentations.

The people of Judah memorialized this moment in their worship and liturgical traditions. It appears that these laments were sung or recited regularly and may have become part of Israel’s festival or national mourning practices, akin to how Lamentations was later used after the fall of Jerusalem.

Meaning for Today’s Christians

Laments are more than historical artifacts—they are expressions of godly sorrow and a call to reflect on the spiritual state of a people. They remind modern believers that:

• It is right and biblical to grieve losses—whether personal, national, or spiritual.

• Righteous leadership is a gift from God, and its loss should stir us to seek Him earnestly.

• Public and private mourning should ultimately lead to repentance, renewal, and hope in God.

The structure of lament teaches Christians how to bring raw emotion before God—to weep, to question, and to trust.

How Laments Point to Jesus and the Gospel

Jesus Himself was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). He wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44) because of its sin and coming judgment. In Gethsemane, He lamented to the Father with cries and anguish (Matthew 26:36-46).

Laments in Scripture ultimately point forward to Christ:

• They prepare the heart to understand the weight of sin and the cost of righteousness.

• They demonstrate our need for a true and eternal King—one who would not fall in battle, but conquer death itself.

• They give voice to a groaning creation that waits for redemption through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:22-23).

Through Jesus, the sorrow of lament becomes the seed of resurrection joy. He transforms grief into hope, mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11), and exile into homecoming.

Broader Biblical Themes

1. The Importance of Godly Leadership

Josiah’s death was so painful because he embodied covenant faithfulness. His loss meant moral collapse and divine judgment were near.

2. Mourning in Worship

Biblical lament is not separate from worship—it is part of it. Many psalms are laments. The Bible allows us to bring our pain into the presence of God.

3. The Role of the Prophet

Jeremiah not only preached but wrote laments. Prophets both warn and weep. Their ministry includes truth and tears.

4. Corporate Sorrow and National Identity

The people’s shared lament bonded them together and preserved memory. Biblical mourning often has a community function, as seen in times of national tragedy.

5. From Brokenness to Hope

Laments are not the end. They create space for healing, reflection, and recommitment to God‘s covenant.

Reflection Questions

1. Do you make space in your spiritual life for lament? Why or why not?

2. How can biblical lament shape the way you respond to loss or injustice?

3. What can we learn from the national mourning over Josiah about valuing righteous leadership today?

4. How does knowing Jesus as the Man of Sorrows shape your understanding of grief?

5. What areas of your life need to move from lament to hope through the gospel?

Laments are not merely the cries of a grieving people—they are sacred echoes of a deeper longing for God’s justice, mercy, and restoration. In Christ, every tear finds its answer.