The letter also tends to confirm the Chronicler's picture of the early date and extensiveness of Josiah's politico-religious program to revive the Davidic Empire.27 It is clear from the letter and its provenience that Josiah had established a coastal fort far south of Megiddo, probably at the same time as, or slightly after, he annexed the Assyrian provinces
(ca. 628/7 B. C.). Evidently, he was protecting his flank against Egypt, Assyria's ally in this era. There is no longer any reason to doubt that Josiah's death at Megiddo in 609, at the hands of Necho II, was in military