Because of the anger of the Lord this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, that He finally cast them out from His presence. 2 Kings 24:20
The Babylonians now invade Syria/Palestine. Jehoiakim, though placed on the throne by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt, is forced to submit but then rebels (24:1-7)
And the Lord sent against him raiding bands of Chaldeans, bands of Syrians, bands of Moabites, and bands of the people of Ammon; He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the Lord which He had spoken by His servants the prophets. Surely at the commandment of the Lord this came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, and also because of the innocent blood that he had shed; for he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, which the Lord would not pardon. 2 Kings 24:2-4
2 Kings 24:8-17 / 2 Chronicles 36:9-10. Jehoiachin of Judah (598-587 B.C.), Jehoiachin and the Nobles Taken Captive to Babylon
After just 3 months as king in Jerusalem, the city is besieged and Jehoiachin taken captive to Babylon. At this time a much larger group of captives is deported, along with all the treasures left in the temple and the royal treasury.
9 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father had done. 10 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. 11 And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, as his servants were besieging it. … 17 Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
2 Kings 24:18-25:30 / 2 Chronicles 36:11-23. Zedekiah of Judah (597-586 B.C.)
Nebuchadnezzar himself leads an army to Judah. He takes Jehoiachin to Babylon, and places a puppet, Zedekiah, on Judah’s throne.
18 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. … He also did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 20 For because of the anger of the Lord this happened in Jerusalem and Judah, that He finally cast them out from His presence. Then Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
Jeremiah Jeremiah’s long ministry extends from Josiah’s day past the extinction of Judah. His call is first to warn Judah to submit to Babylon, and then afterward to encourage, with the promise that God will bring his people back to the land and one day make a new covenant with his people.
