LINK: 2 Kings 24
Parallel passages --
2 Chronicles 36:5-21
Daniel 1:1-2
Jeremiah 22:13-30
BACKGROUND
Chapter 24 opens in the year 605 B.C. Nabopolassar king of Babylon sent his son Nebuchadnezzar to fight the Egyptian army at Carchemish. Nebuchadnezzar completely defeated the Egyptians giving Babylon control over a large area including Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and captured King Jehoiakim. While he was there, he received word of his father's death and returned to Babylon to claim the throne. Jehoiakim was bound and carried off to Babylon, and this is also when Daniel and his friends were deported to Babylon.
Jehoiachin then reigned for three months during the year 597 B.C. During that time, Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem a second time, and 10,000 people were deported. Jehoiachin was taken captive and exiled to Babylon along with all of his family members, all the leaders and officials of the land, and all the skilled workers. The prophet Ezekiel was part of this deportation, and the treasures of the temple were taken as well.
Nebuchadnezzar then placed Mattaniah (Jehoiachin's uncle) on the throne in Jerusalem and changed his name to Zedekiah. We learn more about his reign in 2 Chronicles 36. About eight years later, he rebelled against the king of Babylon (and against God).
Keep reading. We will conclude this story tomorrow.
PRAYER
Lord, let us not harden our hearts against you and your word. You will not be mocked and will discipline your children when they rebel against you. Teach us to be sensitive to your Holy Spirit and to be obedient to your word because we love you with all our heart, soul, and mind. In the name of Jesus, amen.
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