The Israeli archaeologist and author, I. Finkelstein, has an article published in the Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament [Jan 28th, 2025].  See https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/ancient-egyptian-soldiers-and-greek-mercenaries-were-at-armageddon-when-biblical-king-was-killed-study-suggests … He says, after excavations at Megiddo, evidence has  been unearthed for an Egyptian presence from the time of Necho II, alongside Greek pottery in the same level. The level has been dated to the 7th century BC. The Egyptian army, at this time, often employed Greek mercenaries alongside their own troops. Assyrian annals actually record this. Hence, this is nothing of a surprise. Instead, it seems to validate the Bible historically. Necho IIs army was drafted into the Levant with the aim of meeting up with the remnant of the Assyrian army – which had suffered a defeat and the sacking of their major cities, such as Nineveh. Historically, this occurred in 609BC. Necho II was unsuccessful it would seem, or withdrew to fight another day. However, his presence at Megoddo is recorded in the Bible as the king of Judah, Josiah, is said to have gone up to meet the Egyptian pharaoh, and he died. It was later recorded, much later in fact, that Josiah went up to meet Necho in battle. The alternative view is that Josiah was summoned by Necho as he passed through the southern Levant enroute to what is now Syria. Josiah was subsequently assassinated, as the Book of Kings appears to imply. Why would that have happened. Josiah was elevated to the kingship of Judah by the Deuteronomist movement – a theocratic and nationalistic body that had gained the ascendancy, killing the rightful heir to the throne in a coup. Hence, the Deuteronomists had declared UDI it would seem. Renouncing fealty to the Assyrians, the colonial country that ruled all of the Levant and a great part of Egypt. As Necho II was moving his army in an attempt to support the tattered remains of the Assyrian army, he probably thought Judah’s declaration of independence was a betrayal. Not only of the Assyrians but also of the Egyptians, the leading power in that part of the world. Ditching the Assyrian yoke had repercussions.

However, the Book of Chronicles, thought to have been written several centuries after Kings, claims Necho defeated Josiah in battle. This belief went on to be a central theme in Jewish history, and even in the Christian era, the idea was resurrected by the author of the Book of Revelation. At the end times Armageddon [Megiddo] would play an important role.