SCRIPTURE: 2 KINGS 24
During Jehoiakim’s reign, he had be the vassal of Nebuchadnezzar for three years. But Jehoiakim changed his mind and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. So Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem. The Lord sent Babylonia, Aramean, Moabites and Ammonite raiders against him to destroy Judah. Jehoiakim rested with his fathers and his son Jehoiachin succeeded him as king.
JEHOIACHIN KING OF JUDAH (vs. 8-17)
Jehoiachin was 18 years old when he became king and he reigned in Jerusalem for 3 months. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon advanced on Jerusalem and laid siege to it. Jehoiachin, king of Judah, his mother, his attendants, his nobles and his officials all surrendered to him. In the 8th year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, he removed all the treasures form the temple of the Lord and from the royal palace, and took away all the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the Lord. He carried into exile all Jerusalem; all the officers and fighting men, and all the craftsmen and artisans – a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest people of the land were left.
Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon including his mother, his wives, his officials and the leading men of the land. The also deported the entire force of seven thousand fighting men strong and fit for war and a thousand craftsmen and artisans. He made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah. (vs. 13-17)
ZEDEKIAH KING OF JUDAH (vs. 18-20)
Zedekiah was 21 years old when he became king and he reigned in Jerusalem for 11 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Due to the Lord’s anger, he thrust Judah and Jerusalem from his presence.
THOUGHTS:
Jehoiakim became vassals of Nebuchadnezzar for 3 years but later, he rebelled against him. When he died, Jehoiachin took over. During the reign of Jehoiakim, Babylonian army began it siege of Jerusalem. Jehoiakim and his family surrendered and were taken to Babylon. The king’s uncle Mattaniah was made the new king and was given the new name of Zedekiah. He reigned for 11 years. In the 9th year of his reign, he made a secret alliance with Egypt and incurred the wrath of the Babylonians. This foolish move brought the Babylonian armies to Jerusalem for a final siege. Zedekiah became the last king of Judah.
The Babylonians took only the strong and skilled people leaving the poor and weak to rule the land. The leaders were taken to the Babylonian cities and they were permitted to live together, find jobs and became an important part of the society.