June 2, 2024

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, surrounded Jerusalem to seize it. King Zedekiah was caught fleeing with his men, and they killed his sons, then put out his eyes, leaving him blind, bound him with fetters, and took him to Babylon. After that, they burned down the king's house, the temple, and all the people's houses; then they tore down the wall around Jerusalem. They gathered all the brass objects left in the temple for worship and carried them back to Babylon; most of the gold and silver had already been stolen. The priest and other prominent people still left in Jerusalem were captured and carried before Nebuchadnezzar, and he killed them; so all that was left were a few poor people to maintain the vineyards and farm. Gedaliah was set over the people who were left and told them not to fear the king of Babylon. However, Gedaliah was killed by Ishmael, who was of David's royal lineage; he may have been jealous of his good nature toward the people. After that, the rest of the people left Jerusalem for Egypt and probably hid amongst them so they weren't discovered. 

Evilmerodach, Nebuchadnezzar's son, replaced him as king and was kind to Jehoichin. Remember, he and his family gave themselves up to Nebuchadnezzar, and he was held in prison this whole time. It is thought that Nebuchadnezzar had put his son in prison with Jehoichin, and they became friends. Evilmerodach let Jehoichin out of prison, and he was given a pension for the rest of his life. 

God will not allow a country or even his own temple to stand if his people deny him. Therefore, we must continue to warn people because it will not end well for those who reject Jesus. 

This last chapter of 2 Kings ends the rule of the biblical kings until Jesus, the King of kings, returns to rule and reign. 

And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire. 2 Kings 25:9