II Kings 24: The Beginning of the End for Judah
In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
And the Lord sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by his servants the prophets.
Surely at the commandment of the Lord came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did;
And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the Lord would not pardon.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother’s name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father had done.
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.
And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it.
And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.
And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the Lord, as the Lord had said.
And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king’s mother, and the king’s wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.
And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father’s brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.
For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
II Kings 24 recounts the initial stages of Judah's captivity, a tragedy that unfolds fully in the subsequent chapter. This chapter details the consequences of Judah's persistent sin, specifically under the reigns of Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and finally, Zedekiah. God, in His righteous judgment, uses the Babylonian empire as His instrument to discipline His people, leading to their exile and the eventual destruction of Jerusalem.
Jehoiakim's Rebellion and the First Deportation (II Kings 24:1-7)
The name Nebuchadnezzar appears for the first time in II Kings in connection with his initial attack against Judah. Nebuchadnezzar's rise to power marked a significant shift in the ancient world. Having defeated Neco at the pivotal battle of Carchemish in 605 BC (II Kings 23:29), he established Babylon as the dominant superpower, bringing Egypt's vassal states, including Judah, under Babylonian control. It was during this initial campaign that Daniel, famous for his later encounter in the lions' den, and other captives were taken to Babylon, marking the first of three deportations.
Initially, Jehoiakim submitted to Nebuchadnezzar's rule for three years (II Kings 24:1). However, he then rebelled, breaking his oath of allegiance. This rebellion, though seemingly a bid for freedom, was ultimately against God's will. Nebuchadnezzar was God's chosen instrument of judgment upon Judah for the unrepented sins of Manasseh (II Kings 24:3-4), whose reign was marked by egregious idolatry and violence, including the shedding of innocent blood that filled Jerusalem (II Kings 24:4). While Josiah's reforms offered a glimmer of hope (II Kings 23:25), they couldn't erase the deep stain of Manasseh's transgressions. The Lord had finally had enough.
Beyond the Chaldeans, God also stirred up neighboring nations – Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites – to harass Judah (II Kings 24:2). This highlights the far-reaching consequences of national sin, impacting not only internal stability but also external relations. Those who deal injuriously with their neighbors will, sooner or later, find it come home to them.
Nebuchadnezzar, after securing Judah, extended his dominion by seizing territories belonging to the king of Egypt (II Kings 24:7). This demonstrates God's sovereignty over nations, using them as instruments of both judgment and dominion.
Jehoiachin's Brief Reign and Further Deportation (II Kings 24:8-17)
Jehoiakim's death brought his son Jehoiachin to the throne in Jerusalem. Jehoiachin's reign was short-lived, lasting only three months (II Kings 24:8). During this brief period, he continued in the evil ways of his predecessors (II Kings 24:9). If princes do not begin well, they are not likely to end well; and, if they begin ill, they are not likely to continue long.
Meanwhile, Nebuchadnezzar, already engaged in besieging Jerusalem due to Jehoiakim's rebellion, arrived to personally oversee the final stages of the siege (II Kings 24:10-11). Jehoiachin, realizing the futility of resistance, surrendered himself, his family, and his officials to the king of Babylon (II Kings 24:12). This act, though born of necessity, may have spared Jerusalem from even greater destruction.
Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon, along with a significant portion of the population, including officials, mighty men, and skilled craftsmen – a total of ten thousand people (II Kings 24:14-15). The prophet Ezekiel was among those deported. The treasures of the temple and the royal palace were plundered (II Kings 24:13), fulfilling prophecies and demonstrating the consequences of Judah's spiritual and moral decline. This was a gradual ruin of Jerusalem because it had plundered God, and robbed him of his honor and the things he had consecrated to himself.
In Jehoiachin's place, Nebuchadnezzar installed Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's uncle, as a puppet king, changing his name to Zedekiah (II Kings 24:17). This act underscored Babylon's absolute authority and control over Judah.
Zedekiah's Reign and the Inevitable Judgment (II Kings 24:18-20)
Zedekiah became the last king to reign in Jerusalem before the final captivity. He, too, followed the evil example of his predecessors, perpetuating the sins that had brought God's judgment upon Judah (II Kings 24:19). It is of great consequence what examples are set before princes, for they are very apt to follow them.
The writer emphasizes that God's anger was the ultimate cause of Judah's downfall. "Through the anger of the Lord it came to pass that he cast them out from his presence" (II Kings 24:20). Sinners provoke God to depart, and then they are undone.
Zedekiah's rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar (II Kings 24:20) served as the final catalyst for the complete destruction of Jerusalem, an event detailed in the following chapter. While God was angry with them for their other sins, and for these he cast them out; but Zedekiah's rebellion was the particular aggravation of their case now. It was a great piece of ingratitude towards the king of Babylon, who had showed him so much favor as to make him king; it was also a great piece of folly, for he was not able to make his part good against so powerful a prince. His actions defied God's call for submission and repentance (Jeremiah 27:11-12). When God's judgments are abroad, it is our wisdom to submit to them, and to humble ourselves under his mighty hand; for it is in vain to contend with him.
II Kings 24 serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of persistent sin and rebellion against God. It underscores the importance of repentance, humility, and obedience to God's will, lest we too face the consequences of His righteous judgment. It highlights the far-reaching consequences of national sin, impacting not only internal stability but also external relations.
In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
And the Lord sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by his servants the prophets.
Surely at the commandment of the Lord came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did;
And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the Lord would not pardon.
Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.
And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land: for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt.
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother’s name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father had done.
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.
And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it.
And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.
And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the Lord, as the Lord had said.
And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king’s mother, and the king’s wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.
And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father’s brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.
For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, until he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
II Kings 24 recounts the initial stages of Judah's captivity, a tragedy that unfolds fully in the subsequent chapter. This chapter details the consequences of Judah's persistent sin, specifically under the reigns of Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and finally, Zedekiah. God, in His righteous judgment, uses the Babylonian empire as His instrument to discipline His people, leading to their exile and the eventual destruction of Jerusalem.
Jehoiakim's Rebellion and the First Deportation (II Kings 24:1-7)
The name Nebuchadnezzar appears for the first time in II Kings in connection with his initial attack against Judah. Nebuchadnezzar's rise to power marked a significant shift in the ancient world. Having defeated Neco at the pivotal battle of Carchemish in 605 BC (II Kings 23:29), he established Babylon as the dominant superpower, bringing Egypt's vassal states, including Judah, under Babylonian control. It was during this initial campaign that Daniel, famous for his later encounter in the lions' den, and other captives were taken to Babylon, marking the first of three deportations.
Initially, Jehoiakim submitted to Nebuchadnezzar's rule for three years (II Kings 24:1). However, he then rebelled, breaking his oath of allegiance. This rebellion, though seemingly a bid for freedom, was ultimately against God's will. Nebuchadnezzar was God's chosen instrument of judgment upon Judah for the unrepented sins of Manasseh (II Kings 24:3-4), whose reign was marked by egregious idolatry and violence, including the shedding of innocent blood that filled Jerusalem (II Kings 24:4). While Josiah's reforms offered a glimmer of hope (II Kings 23:25), they couldn't erase the deep stain of Manasseh's transgressions. The Lord had finally had enough.
Beyond the Chaldeans, God also stirred up neighboring nations – Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites – to harass Judah (II Kings 24:2). This highlights the far-reaching consequences of national sin, impacting not only internal stability but also external relations. Those who deal injuriously with their neighbors will, sooner or later, find it come home to them.
Nebuchadnezzar, after securing Judah, extended his dominion by seizing territories belonging to the king of Egypt (II Kings 24:7). This demonstrates God's sovereignty over nations, using them as instruments of both judgment and dominion.
Jehoiachin's Brief Reign and Further Deportation (II Kings 24:8-17)
Jehoiakim's death brought his son Jehoiachin to the throne in Jerusalem. Jehoiachin's reign was short-lived, lasting only three months (II Kings 24:8). During this brief period, he continued in the evil ways of his predecessors (II Kings 24:9). If princes do not begin well, they are not likely to end well; and, if they begin ill, they are not likely to continue long.
Meanwhile, Nebuchadnezzar, already engaged in besieging Jerusalem due to Jehoiakim's rebellion, arrived to personally oversee the final stages of the siege (II Kings 24:10-11). Jehoiachin, realizing the futility of resistance, surrendered himself, his family, and his officials to the king of Babylon (II Kings 24:12). This act, though born of necessity, may have spared Jerusalem from even greater destruction.
Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon, along with a significant portion of the population, including officials, mighty men, and skilled craftsmen – a total of ten thousand people (II Kings 24:14-15). The prophet Ezekiel was among those deported. The treasures of the temple and the royal palace were plundered (II Kings 24:13), fulfilling prophecies and demonstrating the consequences of Judah's spiritual and moral decline. This was a gradual ruin of Jerusalem because it had plundered God, and robbed him of his honor and the things he had consecrated to himself.
In Jehoiachin's place, Nebuchadnezzar installed Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's uncle, as a puppet king, changing his name to Zedekiah (II Kings 24:17). This act underscored Babylon's absolute authority and control over Judah.
Zedekiah's Reign and the Inevitable Judgment (II Kings 24:18-20)
Zedekiah became the last king to reign in Jerusalem before the final captivity. He, too, followed the evil example of his predecessors, perpetuating the sins that had brought God's judgment upon Judah (II Kings 24:19). It is of great consequence what examples are set before princes, for they are very apt to follow them.
The writer emphasizes that God's anger was the ultimate cause of Judah's downfall. "Through the anger of the Lord it came to pass that he cast them out from his presence" (II Kings 24:20). Sinners provoke God to depart, and then they are undone.
Zedekiah's rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar (II Kings 24:20) served as the final catalyst for the complete destruction of Jerusalem, an event detailed in the following chapter. While God was angry with them for their other sins, and for these he cast them out; but Zedekiah's rebellion was the particular aggravation of their case now. It was a great piece of ingratitude towards the king of Babylon, who had showed him so much favor as to make him king; it was also a great piece of folly, for he was not able to make his part good against so powerful a prince. His actions defied God's call for submission and repentance (Jeremiah 27:11-12). When God's judgments are abroad, it is our wisdom to submit to them, and to humble ourselves under his mighty hand; for it is in vain to contend with him.
II Kings 24 serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of persistent sin and rebellion against God. It underscores the importance of repentance, humility, and obedience to God's will, lest we too face the consequences of His righteous judgment. It highlights the far-reaching consequences of national sin, impacting not only internal stability but also external relations.