In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him. Yahweh sent against him bands of the Chaldeans, 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 Yahweh’s word, which he spoke by his servants the prophets. Surely at the commandment of Yahweh this came on 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, and Yahweh would not pardon. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, aren’t they 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 place.
The king of Egypt didn’t come out of his land any more; for the king of Babylon had taken, from the brook of Egypt to the river Euphrates, all that belonged to the king of Egypt.
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, according to all that his father had done. At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging 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 captured him in the eighth year of his reign. He carried out from there all the treasures of Yahweh’s house, 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 Yahweh’s temple, as Yahweh had said. He carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. No one remained, except the poorest people of the land. He carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, with the king’s mother, the king’s wives, his officers, and the chief men of the land. He carried them into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. All the men of might, even seven thousand, and the craftsmen and the smiths one thousand, all of them strong and fit for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv1, 3, 6, 7, 12 In the end of the third year of his…
In the end of the third year of his reign, and in the beginning of the fourth, Dan. 1:1.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv1–16 2Ki 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon…
2Ki 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
Ver. 1. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.] Son of Nabopolassar who founded the Babylonian monarchy.
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Came up,] sc., After that he had beaten the king of Egypt’s forces at Charchemish. {Jer 46:2}
Then he turned and rebelled against him.] Defectione tam turpi quam exitiosa. The king of Egypt by fair promises prevailed with him to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar, as also by threats, that otherwise he would restore Jehoahaz now prisoner in Egypt; which yet Jeremiah assured him should never be. {Jer 22:11-12}
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14 In his days, i.e. in Jehoiakim’s reign, in the…
In his days, i.e. in Jehoiakim’s reign, in the end of his third year, Dan 1:1, or the beginning of his fourth, Jer 25:1, Nebuchadnezzar; the son of Nabopolassar, who quite subdued the Assyrian, first his lord, and then his competitor, and made himself absolute monarch of all those parts of the world. Came up, to wit, against Jehoiakim, as the friend and confederate of Pharaoh, whose forces he had lately conquered, Jer 46:2. He turned and rebelled against him, by the instigation of the Egyptian, who threatened him if he did not rebel, and promised him his utmost assistance if he did.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On vv1, 8 We have here the first mention of a name…
We have here the first mention of a name which makes a great figure both in the histories and in the prophecies of the Old Testament; it is that of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (Kg2 24:1), that head of gold. He was a potent prince, and one that was the terror of the mighty in the land of the living; and yet his name would not have been known in sacred writ if he had not been employed in the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of the Jews.
I. He made Jehoiakim his tributary and kept him in subjection three years, Kg2 24:1. Nebuchadnezzar began his reign in the fourth year of Jehoiakim. In his eighth year he made him his prisoner, but restored him upon his promise of faithfulness to him. That promise he kept about three years, but then rebelled, probably in hopes of assistance from the king of Egypt. If Jehoiakim had served his God as he should have done, he would not have been servant to the king of Babylon; but God would thus make him know the difference between his service and the service of the kings of the countries, Ch2 12:8. If he had been content with his servitude, and true to his word, his condition would have been no worse; but, rebelling against the king of Babylon, he plunged himself into more trouble.
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II. When he rebelled Nebuchadnezzar sent his forces against him to destroy his country, bands of Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites, Ammonites, who were all now in the service and pay of the king of Babylon (Kg2 24:2), and withal retained, and now showed, their ancient enmity to the Israel of God. Yet no mention is here made of their commission from the king of Babylon, but only of that from the King of kings: The Lord sent against him all these bands; and again (Kg2 24:3), Surely at the commandment of the Lord came this upon Judah, else the commandment of Nebuchadnezzar could not have brought it. Many are serving God's purposes who are not aware of it. Two things God intended in suffering Judah to be thus harassed: - 1. The punishment of the sins of Manasseh, which God now visited upon the third and fourth generation. So long he waited before he visited them, to see if the nation would repent; but they continued impenitent, notwithstanding Josiah's endeavours to reform them, and ready to relapse, upon the first turn, into their former idolatries. Now that the old bond was put in suit they were called up upon the former judgment; that was revived which God had laid up in store, and sealed among his treasures (Deu 32:34; Job 14:17), and in remembrance of that he removed Judah out of his sight, and let the world know that time will not wear out the guilt of sin and that reprieves are not pardons. All that Manasseh did was called to mind, but especially the innocent blood that he shed, much of which, we may suppose, was the blood of God's witnesses and worshippers, which the Lord would not pardon. Is there then any unpardonable sin but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost? This is meant of the remitting of the temporal punishment. Though Manasseh repented, and we have reason to think even the persecutions and murders he was guilty of were pardoned, so that he was delivered from the wrath to come; yet, as they were national sins, they lay still charged upon the land, crying for national judgments. Perhaps some were now living who were aiding and abetting; and the present king was guilty of innocent blood, as appears Jer 22:17. See what a provoking sin murder is, how loud it cries, and how long. See what need nations have to lament the sins of their fathers, lest they smart for them. God intended hereby the accomplishment of the prophecies; it was according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by his servants the prophets. Rather shall Judah be removed out of his sight, nay, rather shall heaven and earth pass away, than any word of God fall to the ground. Threatenings will be fulfilled as certainly as promises, if the sinner's repentance prevent not.
III. The king of Egypt was likewise subdued by the king of Babylon, and a great part of his country taken from him, Kg2 24:7. It was but lately that he had oppressed Israel, Kg2 23:33. Now he is himself brought down and disabled to attempt any thing for the recovery of his losses or the assistance of his allies. He dares not come any more out of his land. Afterwards he attempted to give Zedekiah some relief, but was obliged to retire, Jer 37:7.
IV. Jehoiakim, seeing his country laid waste and himself ready to fall into the enemy's hand, as it should seem, died of a broken heart, in the midst of his days (Kg2 24:6). So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers; but it is not said that he was buried with them, for no doubt the prophecy of Jeremiah was fulfilled, that he should not be lamented, as his father was, but buried with the burial of an ass (Jer 22:18, Jer 22:19), and his dead body cast out, Jer 36:30.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv1–16 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up,....…
In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up,.... Against Jerusalem; this was in the latter end of the third, or the beginning of the fourth of Jehoiakim's reign, and the first of Nebuchadnezzar, Jer 25:1, when Jehoiakim was taken, but restored upon promise of subjection and obedience, and hostages given, at which time Daniel and his companions were carried captive, with some of the vessels of the temple; See Gill on Dan 1:1, Dan 1:2.
and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: which were the fifth, sixth, and seventh years of his reign:
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then he turned and rebelled against him; being encouraged by the king of Egypt, who promised to assist him against the king of Babylon; Nebuchadnezzar is the Nabocolasser in Ptolemy's canon; and Berosus (n) testifies, that seventy years before the Persian monarchy he made war against the Phoenicians and Jews, and it is from this time the seventy years' captivity is to be dated.
(n) Apud Clement. Alex. Stromat. 1. p. 329.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 Judah severely punished, ver. 1-4. Jehoiakim dies, ver. 5-6.…
Judah severely punished, ver. 1-4. Jehoiakim dies, ver. 5-6. Nebuchadnezzar's conquests, ver. 7. The wicked reign of Jehoiachin, ver. 8, 9. Nebuchadnezzar takes Jerusalem and carries the people captive, ver. 10-16. The wicked reign of Zedekiah, ver. 17-20
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14 Nebuchadnezzar brings Jehoiakim under subjection; who, after
CHAPTER XXIV
Nebuchadnezzar brings Jehoiakim under subjection; who, after
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three years, rebels, 1.
Bands of Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites, invade
the land, 2-4.
Jehoiakim dies, and Jehoiachin his son reigns in his stead,
5, 6.
The Babylonians overcome the Egyptians, 7.
Nebuchadnezzar takes Jehoiachin and his family, and all his
treasures, and those of the temple, and all the chief people
and artificers, and carries them to Babylon, 8-16;
and makes Mattaniah, brother of Jehoiakim, king, who reigns
wickedly, and rebels against the king of Babylon, 17-20.
NOTES ON CHAP. XXIV
Verse 1. Nebuchadnezzar] This man, so famous in the writings of the prophets, was son of Nabopolassar. He was sent by his father against the rulers of several provinces that had revolted; and he took Carchemish, and all that belonged to the Egyptians, from the Euphrates to the Nile. Jehoiakim, who was tributary to Nechoh king of Egypt, he attacked and reduced; and obliged to become tributary to Babylon. At the end of three years he revolted; and then a mixed army, of Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites, was sent against him, who ravaged the country, and took three thousand and twenty-three prisoners, whom they brought to Babylon, Jer 52:28.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14 2Ki 24:1. In his days — That is, in…
2Ki 24:1. In his days — That is, in Jehoiakim’s reign; and, according to Dan 1:1, compared with Jer 25:1, in the end of the third, or the beginning of the fourth year of it; came up Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon — Son of Nebopolassar, who, having subdued Assyria, soon made himself absolute monarch of all that part of the world. He probably left Babylon in the third year of Jehoiakim, and reduced him in his fourth year. According to Jer 46:2, he smote the army of Pharaoh- nechoh near the river Euphrates. He then attacked Jehoiakim, as the friend and ally of Pharaoh, and having taken him prisoner, “put him in chains to carry him to Babylon.” But as Jehoiakim submitted, and agreed to become tributary to him, Nebuchadnezzar released him. He carried away, however, some of the gold and silver vessels of the temple, and some of the most considerable persons of the kingdom, among whom were Daniel and his companions, Dan 1:1-7. And Jehoiakim became his servant three years — That is, was subject to him, and paid him tribute. Then he turned and rebelled against him — Being instigated so to do by the king of Egypt, who promised him his utmost assistance if he would shake off the yoke of the king of Babylon, and threatened he would declare him an enemy, and make war upon him, if he would not.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 In his days - i. e., 605 B.C., which…
In his days - i. e., 605 B.C., which was the third completed Dan 1:1, and fourth commencing Jer 25:1, year of Jehoiakim.
Nebuchadnezzar - or Nebuchadrezzar, which is closer to the original, Nabu-kudurri-uzur. This name, like most Babylonian names, is made up of three elements, Nebo, the well-known god Isa 46:1, kudur, of doubtful signification (perhaps “crown” perhaps “landmark”), and uzur “protects.” Nebuchadnezzar, the son of Nabopolassar, and second monarch of the Babylonian empire, ascended the throne, 604 B.C., and reigned 43 years, dying 561 B.C. He married Amuhia (or Amyitis), daughter of Cyaxares, king of the Medes, and was the most celebrated of all the Babylonian sovereigns. No other pagan king occupies so much space in Scripture. He was not actual king at this time, but only Crown Prince and leader of the army under his father. As he would be surrounded with all the state and magnficence of a monarch, the Jews would naturally look upon him as actual king.
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Came up - Nebuchadnezzar began his campaign by attacking and defeating Neco’s Egyptians at Carchemish Jer 46:2. He then pressed forward toward the south, overran Syria, Phoenicia, and Judaea, took Jerusalem, and carried off a portion of the inhabitants as prisoners Dan 1:1-4 : after which he proceeded southward, and had reached the borders of Egypt when he was suddenly recalled to Babylon by the death of his father.
Three years - Probably from 605 B.C. to 602 B.C. Jehoiakim rebelled because he knew Nebuchadnezzar to be engaged in important wars in some other part of Asia.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 Days. At the end of the third year, Daniel…
Days. At the end of the third year, Daniel i. 1., and Jeremias xxv. 1. Nabuchadonosor, in the first year of his reign, (Jeremias xxv. 1.) being associated in the empire by his aged father Nabopolassar, came up to attack Carchemis, (Jeremias xlvi. 1.) and the other dominions of Egypt, (ver. 7.) and their ally or vassal Joakim. He took the city of Jerusalem, and carried off many of the sacred vessels, and captives, (Daniel i.; Calmet) conducting the king himself to prison, for a short time, when he set him at liberty, on condition that he should pay tribute, 2 Paralipomenon xxxvi. 6. (Tirinus) --- Joakim obeyed for 3 years. --- Then again. Hebrew, "he turned and rebelled." This was the first time, as he had before been subject to Egypt, and was attacked no that account. He probably took advantage of the absence of Nabuchodonosor, who was gone with haste to secure all the dominions of his deceased father. In the 7th year of his reign, he sent rovers to punish Joakim. When the latter had reigned near 11 years, they reduced the kingdom, and treated the king’s corpse with the utmost indignity, Jeremias xxii. 19. (Tirinus)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13 the Lord would not pardon--(see on Kg2 23:26; Jer…
the Lord would not pardon--(see on Kg2 23:26; Jer 15:1).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 1. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon — For more than…
1. Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon — For more than half a century after Merodach-baladan, who was contemporary with Hezekiah, and whom Sennacherib defeated and deposed, (see note on 2Ki_20:12,) Babylonia continued to be an Assyrian fief. But some time during the reign of Josiah, Nabopolassar, the viceroy, revolted from Assyria, and formed an alliance with Cyaxares, the great Median monarch, whom he also assisted in the capture and destruction of Nineveh. By mutual agreement between the two confederates the whole valley of the Euphrates, together with Syria and Palestine, fell to Nabopolassar. He was succeeded by his son Nebuchadnezzar, (written also Nebuchadrezzar,) whom Rawlinson represents as “the great monarch of the Babylonian empire, which, lasting only eighty-eight years, was for nearly half that time under his sway. Its military glory is due chiefly to him; while the constructive energy, which constitutes its especial characteristic, belongs to it still more markedly through his character and genius. It is scarcely too much to say that, but for Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonians would have had no place in history. At any rate, their actual place is owing almost entirely to this prince, who to the military talents of an able general added a grandeur of artistic conception, and a skill in construction, which place him on a par with the greatest builders of antiquity.”
There is a difficulty in the date of Nebuchadnezzar’s first invasion of Palestine. According to Dan_1:1, it occurred in the third year of Jehoiakim; but, according to Jer_25:1, the first year of Nebuchadnezzar synchronized with the fourth of Jehoiakim, and according to Jer_46:2, the defeat of Pharaoh-necho at Carchemish occurred in the same year. We learn, also, from a fragment of Berosus, (in Josephus 2Ki_10:11; 2Ki_10:1,) that Nabopolassar, being himself too infirm to go to war, put his son Nebuchadnezzar in command of his army, and that the latter reduced the western provinces, which had been for some years subject to Egypt, and made them subject to Babylon before the death of his father. All this is, perhaps, best explained as follows: The Jewish writers, who knew nothing personally of Nabopolassar, would naturally consider and call Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and date his reign from the time he took command of the Babylonian army. Nebuchadnezzar probably started on his western campaign in the latter part of the third year of Jehoiakim, (Dan_1:1,) and so his first year would synchronize with the greater part of the fourth of Jehoiakim. Jer_25:1. It is possible, as some suppose, that he besieged Jerusalem, and received Jehoiakim’s submission, before the battle of Carchemish, (Jer_46:2;) but this is hardly probable, since the Egyptian garrison at Carchemish would naturally have stood in his way, and would have first engaged his attention. Therefore it would seem that the date mentioned in Dan_1:1 is either an error, or else to be understood as the time that Nebuchadnezzar began his expedition against Jerusalem.
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Jehoiakim became his servant — According to 2Ch_36:6, Nebuchadnezzar “bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon.” But it is not said that he carried him to Babylon. Probably that was his intention when he bound him; but upon his submission and pledges of fidelity to his conqueror, the latter contented himself with taking off the vessels of the temple, and a number of captives, among whom were Daniel and his three distinguished companions, (Dan_1:1-7,) while Jehoiakim was left on the throne at Jerusalem as a vassal king. At the end of three years he revolted, but the king of Babylon was at that time too busy in the eastern part of his empire to attend in person to this rebellion, and did not proceed against Jerusalem until after the death of Jehoiakim.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 2Ki_24:1. Nebuchadnezzar … came up] We learn from Jeremiah…
2Ki_24:1. Nebuchadnezzar … came up] We learn from Jeremiah (Jer_46:2) that Pharaoh-nechoh was defeated by Nebuchadnezzar at the Euphrates near Carchemish in the fourth year of Jehoiakim. The Egyptian king had probably left his army at Carchemish on his own return to Egypt. After routing the Egyptian force the king of Babylon came forward to attack those lands which had submitted to Pharaoh, Judah among the rest.
Nebuchadnezzar was the son and successor of Nabopolassar, who founded the Babylonian Empire. It was while Nebuchadnezzar was engaged in this expedition against the Egyptians and their allies that he was recalled to take the throne of Babylon. He had been acting as general for his father, though to the Jewish mind he would appear as king of Babylon, especially as he so soon after became in reality king and was made known to them as such by terrible experience.
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Jehoiakim became his servant three years] i.e. He undertook to pay a certain yearly tribute to Babylon. The conqueror appears also to have carried off captives from Jerusalem, for it was at this time that Daniel and his companions were taken away (Dan_1:1). It would seem from the history in 2Ch_36:6 that Nebuchadnezzar’s intention had been to take Jehoiakim away, for it is stated that he ‘bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon’. See on this also the language of Eze_19:9. But by some means he was maintained on his throne. After three years of vassalage, however, he rebelled, probably thinking that he could get help from Egypt.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv1–16 (1) In his days.—In his fifth or sixth year.…
XXIV.
(1) In his days.—In his fifth or sixth year. In Jehoiakim’s fourth year Nebuchadnezzar defeated Necho at Carchemish (Jer_46:2), and was suddenly called home by the news of the death of Nabopolassar his father, whom he succeeded on the throne of Babylon in the same year (Jer_25:1). From Jer_36:9 we learn that towards the end of Jehoiakim’s fifth year the king of Babylon was expected to invade the land. When this took place, Nebuchadnezzar humbled Jehoiakim, who had probably made his submission, by putting him in chains, and carrying off some of the Temple treasures (2Ch_36:6-7). Left in the possession of his throne as a vassal of Babylon, Jehoiakim paid tribute three years, and then tried to throw off the yoke.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv1–16 Vers. 1-20. REIGNS OF JEHOIAKIM, JEHOIACHIN, AND ZEDEKIAH.
Vers. 1-20. REIGNS OF JEHOIAKIM, JEHOIACHIN, AND ZEDEKIAH.
Vers. 1-7. REST OF THE REIGN OF JEHOIAKIM. Troubles now fell thick and fast upon Judaea. Within three years of the invasion of the country by Pharaoh-Nechoh, another hostile army burst in from the north. In B.C. 605, the last year of Nabopolassar, he sent his eldest son, Nebuchadnezzar, into Syria, to assert the dominion of Babylon over the countries lying between the Euphrates and the frontier of Egypt. Nechoh sought to defend his conquests, but was completely defeated at Carehemish in a great battle. (Jer_46:2-12) Syria and Palestine then lay open to the new invader, and, resistance being regarded as hopeless, Jehoiakim made his submission to Nebuchadnezzar (ver. 1). But, three years later (B.C. 602), sustained by what hope we know not, he ventured on an act ofrebellion, and declared himself independent. Nebuchadnezzar did not at once march against him, but caused him to be attacked, as it would seem, by his neighbors (ver. 2). A war without important result continued for four years. Titan Nebuchadnezzar came up against him in person for a second time, (2Ch_36:6) took Jerusalem, and made Jehoiakim prisoner. He designed at first to carry him to Babylon; but seems to have afterwards determined to have him executed, and to have treated his corpse with indignities. (Jer_22:30 Jer_36:30) The writer of Kings throws a veil over these transactions, closing his narrative with the customary phrase Jehoiakim "slept with his fathers" (ver. 6).
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In his days Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon came up. The Hebrew rxan,dkbun (Nebuchadnezzar) or rxar,dkbun (Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah, Ezekiel) represents the Babylonian Nabu-kudur-uzur ("Nebo is the protector of landmarks"), a name very common in the Babylonian and Assyrian inscriptions. It was borne by three distinct kings of Babylon, the most important of whom was Nebuchadnezzar III, the son of Nabopolassar, the monarch of the present passage. According to Berosus, he was not at the time of this expedition the actual sovereign of Babylonia, but only the crown prince, placed by the actual king, Nabopolassar, at the head of his army. It is possible that his father may have associated him in the kingdom, for association was not unknown at Babylon; or the Jews may have mistaken his position; or the historian may call him king by prolepsis, as a modern might say, "The Emperor Napoleon invaded Italy and defeated the Austrians at Marengo" (see Pusey"s "Daniel," p. 400). His father had grown too old and infirm to conduct a military expedition, and consequently sent his son in his place, with the object of chastising Nechoh, and recovering the territory whereof Nechoh had made himself master three years before. (see 2Ki_23:29-33, and compare below, ver. 7) And Jehoiakim became his servanti.e. submitted to him, and became a tributary kingthree years (from B.C. 605 to B.C. 602): then he turned and rebelled against him. How Jehoiakim came to venture on this step we are not told, and can only conjecture. It is, perhaps, most probable that (as Josephus says, "Ant. Jud:" 10:6, he was incited to take this course by the Egyptians, who were still under the rule of the brave and enterprising Nechoh, and who may have hoped to wipe out by fresh victories the disaster experienced at Carehemish. There is, perhaps, an allusion to Jehoiakim"s expectation of Egyptian succors in the statement of ver. 7, that "the King of Egypt came not again any more out of his land.
Vers. 1-4. Conquering kings and nations instruments in God"s hands to work out his purposes.
The sudden disappearance of Assyria from the scene, and the sudden appearance of Babylon upon it at this point of the history, are very remarkable. Without a word upon the circumstances that had brought it about, the writer of Kings shows us that a great crisis in the world"s history has come and gone; that the mighty state which had dominated Western Asia for centuries is no more, and has been superseded by a new, and hitherto scarce heard of, power. "In his Jehoiakim"s days Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon came up." We have thus presented to us, by implication
I ASSYRIA"A FALL. For nearly a thousand years Assyria had been "the rod of God"s anger". (Isa_10:5) She had been sent against nation after nation, to execute God"s wrath, with a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets". (Isa_10:6) As Hezekiah confessed in his prayer, (2Ki_19:17, 2Ki_19:18) their success had been continual: "Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire, etc. But why and whence was this? Because God had used Assyria as his instrument. God had brought it to pass that Assyria should exist "to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps. Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the house-tops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up". (2Ki_19:25, 2Ki_19:26) But this time was now gone. Assyria had offended God by her pride and self-trust. She had said, "By the strength of my hand I have done this, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man". (Isa_10:13) The axe had "boasted itself against him that hewed therewith; and the saw had magnified itself against him that moved it to and fro". (Isa_10:15) Therefore God thought it time to vindicate his own honor, and Assyria fell. Two Other nations were raised up to break in pieces the proud and haughty conqueror; and, after a short struggle, Assyria sank, to rise no more. (Nah_3:19)
II BABYLON"S RISE TO GREATNESS. Babylon had in remote days (Gen_10:8-10) been a powerful state, and had even possessed an empire; but for the last seven hundred years or more she had been content to play a very secondary part in Western Asia, and had generally been either an Assyrian feudatory or an integral part of the Assyrian monarchy. But in the counsels of God it had been long decreed that she, and not Assyria, should be God"s instrument for the chastisement of his people. (2Ki_20:16-19) Therefore, as the appointed time for Assyria"s fall approached, Babylon was made to increase in power and greatness. A wave of invasion (Herod., 1:104, 105), which passed over the rest of Western Asia, left her untouched. A great monarch was given her in the person of Nabopolassar, who read aright the signs of the times, saw in Media a desirable ally, and, having secured Median co-operation, revolted against the long-established sovereign power. A short, sharp struggle followed, ending in the utter collapse of the great Assyrian empire, and the siege and fall of Nineveh. The two conquering states partitioned between them the Assyrian dominions Media taking the countries which lay to the north-west and north, Babylon those towards the south-west and south. Thus, so far as the Jews were concerned, Babylon, between B.C. 625 and B.C. 608, had stepped into Assyria"s place. She had become "the hammer of the whole earth"; (Jer_50:23) God"s battle-axe and weapons of war, (Jer_51:20) wherewith he brake in pieces nations and kingdoms, man and woman, old and young, captains and rulers. (Jer_51:20-23) The prophecy of Isaiah to Hezekiah, (2Ki_20:16-19) which seemed so unlikely of fulfillment at the time that it was uttered, found a natural and easy accomplishment, the course of events in the latter part of the seventh century B.C. having transferred to Babylonia, under Divine direction anal arrangement, that grand position and dignity which had previously been Assyria. When she had served God"s purpose, Babylon"s turn came; and she sank as suddenly as she had risen, because she too had been "proud against the Lord", (Jer 1) and had provoked his indignation.
Vers. 1-6. The beginning of the end.
It has been already observed (see the homiletics to 2Ki 16) that God"s punishment of a nation, though often long-deferred, when it comes at last comes suddenly, violently, and at once. Nineteen years only intervened a brief space in the life of a nation between the first intimation which the Jews received of danger impending from a new enemy, and the entire destruction, by that enemy, of temple, city, and nation. Peril first showed itself in B.C. 605; Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jews carried into captivity in B.C. 586. From first to last they were scarcely given a breathing-space. Blow was struck upon blow; calamity followed close upon calamity. "The beginning of the end" is to be dated from Nebuchadnezzar"s first invasion when "Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon came up" against Jehoiakim, "and Jehoiakim became his servant three years" (ver. 1). When an iron vessel and an earthen one come into contact and collision, it is not difficult to foresee the result. Nebuchadnezzar"s first campaign proved his absolute superiority over all the forces that could be brought against him by the nations of the west. Could the Jews have accepted, honestly and loyally, the position which Jehoiakim professedly took up that of a faithful vassal and feudatory, who would keep watch over the interests of his suzerain, and aid him to the best of his power a prolonged though inglorious existence would have been possible for the people. But the nation was too proud to submit itself. Neither king nor people had any intention of putting up with the loss of independence or becoming loyal Babylonian subjects, however strongly the duty might be pressed upon them by Jeremiah and the other Jehovistic prophets. A profound antagonism was developed from the first. Nebuchadnezzar probably carried off the captives "of the king"s seed, and of the princes", (Dan_1:3) from Jerusalem by way of hostages. Jehoiakim meditated revolt from the moment of his submission; and within three years threw off the mask, and rebelled openly. Five years of struggle followed. Prompted by Nebuchadnezzar, "the nations set upon him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him", (Eze_19:8; comp. 2Ki_24:2) ravaged his territory far and wide, "destroyed" multitudes of the people, and, at last, "took the king in their snare", (Eze_19:8) and "brought him to the King of Babylon". (Eze_19:9) Nebuchadnezzar punished him with death, cast out his body unburied, and took as hostages to Babylon three thousand more of the upper classes of the citizens (Josephus, "Ant. Jud:," 10:6. Distrust and suspicion on the one side, hatred and sense of cruel wrong on the other, must, under these circumstances, have grown and increased; the antagonism, instead of dying away with the lapse of time, must have become accentuated. "The end" already approached, though it was not yet." The weaker party could not but go to the wall; and events were evidently hastening to a denouement. With the death of Jehoiakim the first scene of the last act had terminated.
HOMILIES BY D. THOMAS.
2Ki_25:17. Wickedness, retribution, and Divine control, as revealed in Nebuchadnezzar"s invasion of Judah.
his days Nebuchadnezzar," etc. In glancing through these chapters there are two objects that press on our attention.
1. A national crisis. The peace, the dignity, the wealth, the religious privileges of Judah are converging to a close. Israel has already been carried away by a despot to a foreign land, and now Judah is meeting the same fate. All nations have their crises they have their rise, their fall, their dissolution.
2. A terrible despot. The name of Nebuchadnezzar comes for the first time under our attention. Who is he? He is a prominent figure in the histories and the prophecies of the old Scriptures. He was the son and successor of Nabopolassar, who, having revolted from Assyria and helped to destroy Nineveh, brought Babylon at once into pre-eminence. The victories of Nebuchadnezzar were stupendous and many. Egypt, Syria, Phoenicia, Palestine, all bowed to his triumphant arms. He made Babylon, his capital, one of the most wonderful cities of the world. The walls with which he fortified it contained, we are told, no less than five hundred million tons of masonry. He was at once the master and the terror of the age he lived in, which was six hundred years before Christ. There is no character in all history more pregnant with practical suggestions than his a mighty fiend in human form. We have in these two chapters a view of
1. the wickedness of man;
2. the retribution of Heaven;
3. and the supremacy of God.
Here we have
I THE WICKEDNESS OF MAN. The wickedness here displayed is marked:
1. By inveteracy. It is here said of Jehoiachin, "He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father had done." In ver. 19 the same is also said of Zedekiah: "He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done." This has, indeed, been said of many kings of Judah, as of all the kings of Israel. What a hold, then, had wickedness taken on the Jewish people! It had so deeply struck its roots into their very being that neither the mercies nor the judgments of Heaven could uproot it. It was a cancer transmitted from sire to son, poisoning their blood and eating up their nature. Thus, then, from generation to generation the wickedness of the Jewish people seemed to be a disease hereditary, ineradicable, and incurable.
2. By tyranny. "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." This is seen in the conduct of Nebuchadnezzar. What right had Nebuchadnezzar to leave his own country, invade Judah, plunder it of its wealth, and bear away by violence its population? None whatever. It was tyranny of the worst kind, an outrage on every principle of humanity and justice. Sin is evermore tyrannic. We see it everywhere. On all hands do we see men and women endeavoring to bring others into subjection masters their servants, employers their employees , rulers their subjects. Tyranny everywhere is the evidence, the effect, and the instrument of wickedness.
3. By inhumanity. "And the King of Babylon... 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 valor, 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, and all that were strong and apt for war, even them the King of Babylon brought captive to Babylon." He rifled the country of its people and its property, and inflicted untold misery on thousands. Thus wickedness transforms man into a fiend, and turns society into a pandemonium.
4. By profanity. We read here that Nebuchadnezzar carried away all the treasures of the house of the Lord, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon had made in the temple thereof. We also read here that "he burnt the house of the Lord.... And the pillars of brass that were in the house of the Lord, and the bases, and the brazen sea that was in the house of the Lord, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon. And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away. The two pillars, one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of the Lord; the brass of all these vessels was without weight." Thus this ruthless despot, becoming a scourge in God"s hands, desecrated the most holy things in the city of Jerusalem and in the memory of millions. He reduced the magnificent pile of buildings to ashes, and rifled it of its sacred and priceless treasures. Wickedness is essentially profane. It has no reverence; it crushes every sentiment of sanctity in the soul. O sin, what hast thou done? Thou hast quenched the divinest instincts in human nature, and poisoned the fountain of religious and social sympathies, substituted cruelty for love, tyranny for justice, blind superstition and blasphemous profanity for devotion.
II THE RETRIBUTION OF HEAVEN.
III THE SUPREMACY OF GOD. D.T.
HOMILIES BY J. ORR Vers. 1-9. The advent of Nebuchadnezzar.
It had been predicted that the final blow on Judah would be delivered, not by the Assyrians, but by the Chaldeans. "The days come, that all that is in thine house... shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left". (2Ki_20:17; cf. Mic_4:10) That prediction now hasted to its accomplishment. Babylon had emerged as the successor to Assyria in the undisputed possession of imperial power. Its second king was Nebuchadnezzar, God"s chosen instrument for the chastisement of Judah and surrounding nations. (Jer 27)
I JEHOIAKIM"S SUBMISSION.
1. The defeat of Nechoh. It was through Pharaoh-Nechoh, as previously stated, that Nebuchadnezzar was brought into relations with Judah, which did not end till the final ruin of the latter state. Nechoh had advanced to Carchemish on the Euphrates, when Nebuchadnezzar, finding his hands free, met him in battle, and completely defeated him (B.C. 605). All the country between Egypt and the Euphrates, which Nechoh had conquered, thus fell under the power of Babylon (ver. 7). Egypt might intrigue, but was thereafter powerless to help. Wonderful are the combinations of circumstances by which, in providence, God works out his ends.
2. Nebuchadnezzar"s adduce on Jerusalem. It was now the fourth year of Jehoiakim, (Jer_25:1) and, as Nechoh"s vassal, he had probably contributed his contingent to the defeated Egyptian army. Nebuchadnezzar speedily came against him. We learn from other passages (2Ch_36:6, 2Ch_36:7; Dan_1:1, Dan_1:2) that Jerusalem actually was besieged, and Jehoiakim bound in fetters, with the intention of being sent to Babylon. The king saved himself by submission; but the temple was plundered of its sacred vessels, and certain princes, among them Daniel, were taken away captive. This is the beginning of the seventy years" captivity. (Jer_25:11)
3. The three years servitude. For three years Jehoiakim bore the heavy yoke of the King of Babylon, as before he had borne that of Nechoh. During that period his character underwent no improvement. He still proved himself the tyrant and oppressor of his people, was obstinate and headlong in his courses, and sought the life of God"s prophets. He built magnificent palaces by forced labor. (Jer_22:13-17) When Jeremiah"s roll was read to him, he cut it up with his penknife, and threw it in the fire. (Jer_36:20-23) He slew Urijah the prophet, and would have put Jeremiah also to death if he had dared. (Jer_26:12-24) Under his reign heathenism underwent a great revival, and the moral condition of the people rapidly deteriorated. Judah, like Israel of former days, had become a hopelessly corrupt carcass, and nothing remained but to remove it from the face of the earth.
II JEHOIAKIM"S REBELLION.
1. Its motives. Three years Jehoiakim served the King of Babylon, then "he turned and rebelled against him" Not much light is thrown on the motives of this rebellion beyond the fact that Nebuchadnezzar was at this time at a distance, and Jehoiakim may have thought he might assert his independence with impunity. Pharaoh-Nechoh was still intriguing to stir up disaffection; plots were always hatching to get the subject-nations to combine against their common oppressor: (cf. Jer_27:3: on this occasion, however, Moab and Ammon were on the side of Nebuchadnezzar, ver. 2) and false prophets were never wanting to predict success. (cf. Jer 28) Jeremiah gave a steady voice to the contrary, but it was unheeded. The proverb was again to be fulfilled whom the gods wish to destroy, they first madden. Jehoiakim was given up to the delusions of his own vain and foolish notions, and the people cherished extravagant hopes based on their possession of the temple and the Law. (Jer_7:4 Jer_8:8) But neither temple nor Law will avail those who refuse to "thoroughly amend" their "ways" and their "doings". (Jer_7:5)
2. Human instruments of punishment. "And the Lord sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians," etc. Nebuchadnezzar could not at the time attend to Jehoiakim in person; but he could lay his commands on neighboring peoples, and these were ordered to keep up a galling and harassing attack on Judah by means of marauding bands. Detachments of his own Chaldeans were assisted by Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites, and gave Jehoiakim no peace. God"s heritage is compared by Jeremiah to "a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her". (Jer_12:9) Troubles rise on every side against those who forsake God.
3. God over all. It was the "Lord" who sent these hostile bands "against Judah to destroy it at the commandment of the Lord came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight." In sacred history everything is looked at from the standpoint of Divine providence. From second causes it mounts invariably to the supreme cause. Nebuchadnezzar is God"s "servant his instrument for the chastisement of the nations"; (Jer_27:4-7) and what, from the purely historical point of view, seems a lawless play of forces, is, from the Divine point of view, a scene full of meaning, interest, and purpose. The rejection of Judah is again in these verses connected with the sin of Manasseh, only, however, as before shown, because people and rulers made these sins their own, and would not depart from them. Heathenism was again rampant, (cf. Eze 8) and Jehoiakim, like Manasseh, was shedding "innocent blood". (Jer_22:17) Scripture knows no fatalism beyond that which springs from the incorrigibleness of a people wedded to their sins. Neither is there any sin which, if sincerely repented, of, God will not pardon, though its temporal effects may still have to be endured. But there is the awful possibility of getting beyond pardon through our own obduracy. Both sides of the truth are seen in Jeremiah on the one hand exhortations to repentance, with assurances of forgiveness.; (Jer_18:7-10 Jer_26:1-3 Jer_35:15) and on the other declarations that the time for pardon was past. (Jer_7:15-16, Jer_7:27, 28 11:11-14 15:1 18:11, 12 36:16, 17, etc.) It was not because the fathers had eaten sour grapes that the children"s teeth were set on edge; (Eze_18:2) but the children had walked in the fathers" ways.
III JEHOIAKIM"S SON.
1. Jehoiakim"s end. Like so many other wicked kings, Jehoiakim came to a miserable end, for there is no reason to doubt that Jeremiah"s prophecy was fulfilled regarding him, "He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem". (Jer_22:18, Jer_22:19) The circumstances are unknown.
2. Jehoiachin"s character. Jehoiachin succeeded to the throne of his father, but, like Jehoahaz, he only held it for three months. Of him, too, the record is borne that he "did evil." He is, perhaps, the "young lion" of Eze_19:5-9, whom the nations took in their net, and brought to the King of Babylon. There seem to have been some elements of nobleness in his nature, and, after a long captivity, he became the friend and companion of the Babylonian king who succeeded Nebuchadnezzar. (2Ki_25:27-30) J.O.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon came up.
2Ki_24:1-16
In his days Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon came up.
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Wickedness, retribution and divine control, as revealed in Nebuchadnezzars invasion of Judah
In glancing through these chapters there are two objects that press on our attention.
(1) A national crisis. The peace, the dignity, the wealth, the religious privileges of Judah are converging to a close. Israel has already been carried away by a despot to a foreign land, and now Judah is meeting its fate. All nations have their crises--they have their rise, their fall, their dissolution
(2) A terrible despot. The name of Nebuchadnezzar comes for the first time under our attention.
I. The wickedness of man. The wickedness here displayed is marked--
1. By inveteracy. It is here said of Jehoiachin, He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father had done. In 2Ki_24:18 the same is also said of Zedekiah, He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiachin had done. The wickedness here displayed is marked--
2. By tyranny. 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. What right had Nebuchadnezzar to leave his own country, invade Judah, plunder it of its wealth, and bear away by violence its population? The wickedness here displayed is marked--
3. By inhumanity. And the King of Babylon . . . he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the kings 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. The wickedness here displayed is marked--
4. By profanity. He burnt the house of the Lord, etc. Thus this ruthless despot desecrated the most holy things in the city of Jerusalem and in the memory of millions.
II. The retribution of heaven. In the retribution here displayed we are reminded of two facts: That the sins of one man may bring misery on millions. 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, All the misery here recorded comes to the people for the sins of Manasseh. Here is the hereditary principle of Divine government. Will not the following facts anyhow modify the severity of the complaint?
(1) That no man is made to suffer more than he actually deserves on account of his own personal sin.
(2) That the evils which thus descend to us from our ancestors are not to be compared with those we produce ourselves.
(3) That whilst the hereditary principle of the Divine government entails evils, it also entails good. Great as are the evils that have come down to us from posterity, great also is the good.
(4) This hereditary principle tends to restrain vice and stimulate virtue. The parent knowing, as all parents must know, the immense influence he exerts upon his offspring, and having the common natural affection, will be set more or less on his guard; he will restrain evil passions which otherwise he would allow to sport with uncontrolled power, and prosecute efforts of a virtuous tendency, which otherwise he would entirely neglect.
2. The pernicious influence of a mans sin in the world may continue after his conversion. Manasseh repented of the sins he had committed, and received the favours of his God. Notwithstanding we find men here suffering on account of the sins he had committed.
3. That retribution, though it may move slowly, yet will move surely. A hundred years had well-nigh passed away, and several generations had come and gone since Manasseh had gone to his grave. Yet avenging justice appears at last, and wreaks upon others the terrible effects of his crimes. The tardy march of retribution men have made the occasion and the reason of continued depravity, Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, etc. (David Thomas, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Expositor's Bible 1887 · Public Domain On v8
JEHOIACHIN
B.C. 597
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2Ki_24:8-16
B.C. 597
"There are times when ancient truths become modern falsehoods, when the signs of Gods dispensations are made so clear by the course of natural events as to supersede the revelations of even their most sacred past."
- STANLEY, "Lectures," 2:521
JEHOIACHIN-"Jehovah maketh steadfast"-who is also called Jeconiah, and-perhaps with intentional slight-Coniah, succeeded, at the age of eighteen, to the miserable and distracted heritage of the throne of Judah. The "eight years old" of the Chronicler must be a clerical error, for he had a harem. He only reigned for three months; and the historian pronounces over him, as over all the four kings of the House of Josiah, the stereotyped condemnation of evil-doing. Was there anything in the manner in which Josiah had trained his family which could account for their unsatisfactoriness? In Jehoiachins case we do not know what his transgressions were, but perhaps his mothers influence rendered him as little favorable to the prophetic party as his brother Jehoiakim had been. For the Gebirah was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. Her name means apparently "Brass," and nothing can be deduced from it; but her father Elnathan was (as we have seen) the envoy who, by order of Jehoiakim, had dragged back from Egypt the martyr-prophet Urijah. {Jer_26:22} Brief as was his reign of three months and ten days {2Ch_36:9}-a hundred days, like that of his unhappy uncle Jehoahaz-he is largely alluded to by the contemporary prophets. Indignant at the sins and apostasies of Judah, and convinced that her retribution was nigh at hand, Jeremiah took with him an earthen pot to the Valley of Hinnom, and there shivered it to pieces at Tophet in the presence of certain elders of the people and of the priests, explaining that his symbolic action indicated the destruction of Jerusalem. On hearing the tenor of these prophecies, the priest Pashur, who was officer of the Temple, smote Jeremiah in the face, and put him in the stocks in a prominent place by the Temple gate. Jeremiah in return prophesied that Pashur and all his family should be carried into captivity, so that his name should be changed from Pashur to Magor-Missabib, "Terror on every side." Against the king himself he pronounced the doom: "As I live, saith the Lord, though Coniah, the son of Jehoiakim, King of Judah, were the signet on My right hand, yet will I pluck thee thence; and I will give thee into the hands of them that seek thy life even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar. And I will hurl thee, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country; and there shall ye die. Is this man Coniah a despised broken piece of work? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they hurled, he and his seed, and cast into a land which they know not? O land, land, land! hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, or ruling any more in Judah."
Yet there must have been something in Jeconiah which impressed favorably the minds of men. Brief as was his reign, his memory was never forgotten. We learn from the Mishna that one of the gates of Jerusalem-probably that by which he left the city-forever bore his name. Josephus says that his captivity was annually commemorated. Jeremiah writes in the Lamentations:-
"Our pursuers are swifter than the eagles of heaven: they have pursued us upon the mountains, they have laid wait for us in the wilderness. The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the Lord, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen."
Ezekiel compares him to a young lion:-
"He went up and down among the lions, he became a young lion, and learned to catch the prey. And he knew their palaces, and laid waste their cities; and the land was desolate, and the fullness thereof, by the noise of his roaring. Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit. And they put him in ward in hooks, and brought him to the King of Babylon: they brought him into holds, that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel."
A prince of whom a contemporary prophet could thus write was obviously no fainéant. Indeed, the energetic measures which Nebuchadrezzar adopted against him may have been due to the fact that he had endeavored to rouse his discouraged people. But what could he do against such a power as that of the Chaldaeans? Nebuchadrezzar sent his generals against Jerusalem; and when it was ripe for capture, advanced in person to take possession of it. Resistance had become hopeless; there lay no chance in anything but that complete submission which might possibly avert the worst effects of the destruction of the city. Accordingly, Jeconiah, accompanied by his mother, his court, his princes, and his officers, went out in procession, and threw themselves on the mercy of the King of Babylon. Nebuchadrezzar was far less brutal than the Sargons and Assurbanipals of Assyria; but Judah had twice revolted, and the defection of Tyre showed him that the affairs of Palestine could no longer be neglected. He thoroughly despoiled the Temple and the palace, and carried the spoils to Babylon, as Isaiah had forewarned Hezekiah should be the case. That he might further weaken and humiliate the city, he stripped it of its king, its royal house, its court, its nobles, its soldiers, even its craftsmen and smiths, and carried ten thousand eight hundred and thirty-two captives to Babylon (Jos., "Antt.," X 7. I), among whom was the prophet Ezekiel. He naturally spared Jeremiah, who regarded him as "the sword of Jehovah," {Jer_47:6} and as "Jehovahs servant, to do His pleasure". {Jer_25:9; Jer_27:6; Jer_43:10} On the whole, Nebuchadrezzar is not treated with abhorrence by the Jews. There was something in his character which inspired respect; and the Jews deal with him leniently, both in their records and generally in their traditions. "Nebuchadnezzar," we read in the Talmud ("Taanith," f. 18, 2), "was a worthy king, and deserved that a miracle should be performed through him."
From the allusion of Ezekiel we might infer that Jehoiachin was violent and self-willed; but Josephus speaks of his kindness and gentleness. Was he, as Jeremiah had prophesied, literally "childless"? It is true that in 1Ch_3:17-18, eight sons are ascribed to him, and among them Shealtiel, in whom the royal line was continued. But it was far from certain that these sons were not the sons of his brother Neri, of the House of Nathan {Luk_3:27; Luk_3:31 Mat_1:12} and it seems that they were only adopted by the unhappy captive. The Book of Baruch describes him weeping by the Euphrates. But if we may trust the story of Susannah, his outward fortunes were peaceful, and he was allowed to live in his own house and gardens in peace and in a certain degree of splendor.
William Robertson Nicoll, ed., The Expositor's Bible (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1887–1910) — public domain. 65 of 66 books (1 Corinthians is not separately keyed, as that volume carries no machine-parseable verse references); section-level commentary keyed to the opening verse. Introductory and overview sections not keyed to a specific passage are excluded.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v1 2Ki_24:1. In his days Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuchadnezzar’s reign…
THE FALL OF THE KINGDOM OF JUDAH
CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.—
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2Ki_24:1. In his days Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuchadnezzar’s reign commenced in the fourth year of Jehoiakim’s. Hales (“Sacred Chron.”) shows that Jehoiakim was made king by Pharaoh-Necho, of Egypt, in July, B.C. 607; whereas Nebuchadnezzar mounted the throne of Babylon January 21, B.C. 604. The Chaldean cylinders place all chronology back by twenty-two years, so that these dates become B.C. 590 for Jehoiakim’s accession, and B.C. 586 for Nebuchadnezzar’s. This Nebuchadnezzar was son of Nabo-polassar, and founded the Chaldee monarchy. This invasion of Judea occurred in Jehoiakim’s fourth year, therefore, in Nebuchadnezzar’s first year.
2Ki_24:2. Bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, &c.—Not an organized army, but a congregate host from various nationalities. These, doubtless, had been compelled to own Nebuchadnezzar’s supremacy, and now, in attacking Judah, both gratified their own hostility against this kingdom, and fulfilled Nebuchadnezzar’s commands. Joining with the Chaldean troops that were left on the borders, they attacked Judah.
2Ki_24:3. Surely at the commandment of the Lord came this upon Judah—The judgments long threatened by God through the prophets Micah, Huldah, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah, now began. These bands were but instruments of God, unconsciously working out His behests.
2Ki_24:6. Jehoiakim slept with his fathers—We have no record of his death; certainly he was not buried in his father’s sepulchre. Jeremiah records the reverse of that (see Jer_22:18-19). Probably he died soon after reaching Babylon, burdened with his captive chains; but it is equally probable that he was slain by Nebuchadnezzar, and his corpse cast aside unburied. Certainly he perished ignobly, and at the age of thirty-six.
2Ki_24:8. Jehoiachin was eighteen years old, &c.—His reign lasted but three months and ten days. For thirty-six years he lingered a captive in Babylon—i.e., through Nebuchadnezzar’s lifetime—but was elevated into some dignity and respect by Evil-merodach, who succeeded Nebuchadnezzar (comp. chap. 2Ki_25:27-30; Jer_52:31-34). With the admonitory example and warning doom of his father before him, this wilful and impious youth defied God and His prophets, and reaped disasters which overwhelmed the entire royal household and the nation.
2Ki_24:12. Jehoiachin, king of Judah, went out to the king of Babylon—This act. יָצָא describes the going out to surrender. Possibly, persuaded thereto by Jeremiah, but improbably so. It might have been a part played in the hope of gaining favour with the enemy, and retaining his throne as vassal. But Nebuchadnezzar was in no mood to show clemency now. 2Ki_24:13-16. He carried away all Jerusalem (2Ki_24:14)—In all, about 10,000 exiles. Only “the poorest of the people” (2Ki_24:15) were left. Every article of worth in palace and temple was seized. The land was thus bereft of all those inhabitants who were of value to Jerusalem or useful to Babylon. Jeremiah (Jer_29:1) records that priests and prophets were included; and Josephus tells that Ezekiel was among the prophets who were carried away with these exiles (comp. Eze_1:1-8). The numbers were: 2,000, consisting of the royal household, princes, state officers, priests, and prophets; 1,000 craftsmen; 7,000 warriors. 2Ki_24:17-20. The king of Babylon made Mattanish king—An act of grace; instead of sending a foreign viceroy. He was Josiah’s third son (1Ch_3:15), brother of Jehoahaz, and uncle of Jehoiakin. Zedekiah means “the righteousness of God,” and as a Hebrew name it intimates that he was allowed himself to choose the title by which to dignify his pitiably poor kingship. A false name in its descriptive import, for he was hardened and impious.—W. H. J.
HOMILETICS OF 2Ki_24:1-18
A NATION AT BAY
WITH the death of Josiah the history of the Judaic Kingdom virtually closes. The historian treats with almost contemptuous brevity the reigns of the last four kings, who were mere puppets of Egypt and Babylon. The period of the remaining twenty-three years, called by Ewald “the death-agony of the nation,” is occupied by successive conquests and deportations. The nation is picked at by the invading vulture, bit by bit, till it is picked clean. In the graphic simile of the prophet, the dish is at length emptied and turned upside down. This chapter portrays a nation at bay.
I. A pathetic sight when we consider the greatness of its past history. No nation under the sun had been so favoured as Israel. It was called out of obscurity and was raised into a great nation. From its cradle and throughout its career it was the special ward of heaven. Its pathway was strewn with flowers, margined with mercies, and adorned with brilliant miracles. It was allowed to reach a height of imperial greatness that commanded the honour and astonishment of the mightiest nations in its day. Its soil, its wealth, its culture, its overflowing peace and plenty were the envy of all. But now, see to what unfaithfulness and repeated disobedience has reduced it! How complete a contrast have we here between the expansive greatness and world-wide influence of Solomon, and the lustreless crown and limited resources of Jehoikim! Israel had glittered like a signet ring on the right hand of the Almighty, but it was now plucked off and cast aside (Jer_22:24-26). And yet, in its decay, there is a touch of the old brave spirit which awakens both sympathy and respect.
II. A pathetic sight when we observe the gigantic forces against which it struggles (2–4: 10–16). The kinglets and small dependencies that had been accustomed to look up to Judah with awe, now swarmed around her in her downfall, and took a savage delight in inflicting injury and indignity. They pecked at her like a speckled bird, and ceased not while there was a feather left. Behind and above all these was the overshadowing power of Babylon with its vast and invincible army. But the most formidable foe of all was the Friend and Patron whom they had offended beyond remedy (2Ki_24:3; 2Ki_24:20) Now that Jehovah is against Judah, all her struggles are in vain. And yet, with all these odds against her, Judah obstinately resists. Every one can see the inevitable but herself.
III. A pathetic sight when it is compelled at length to succumb (2Ki_24:12). It had held out with all the tenacity of despair; to have persisted in opposition would have been fanaticism—madness. Grimly it yields to stern necessity. The sins of Manasseh (2Ki_24:3-4), sins which the people had approved and practised, had stained too deeply the national character, and emasculated the national life. The strength of true bravery is conscious virtue. In the midst of that beleagured city was a man (Jeremiah) whose counsels, if sooner followed, would have led to a different result; and Jehoiachin, like Hezekiah, might have defied the investing forces to do their worst. Even the victor admires the brave and gallant resistance of the foe who is now his captive.
IV. A pathetic sight when the noblest of its people in rank, usefulness, and moral worth are dragged into ignominious captivity (2Ki_24:14-16). The brain and sinew of the nation were now to be employed in the aggrandisement of a strange land. The impoverishment of Judah was the enrichment of Mesopotamia—the fall of Jerusalem meant the glorifying of Babylon. The favourites of heaven are now the servants of Nebuchadnezzar; the rulers are changed by the fortunes of war into slaves. It is difficult to describe the feelings of the captive emigrants as they took their last look of the Holy City on their march to Babylon. They were leaving behind all they loved and prized most. Jerusalem was never so dear to them as when they were compelled to leave it.
Who would not bleed with transports for his country,
Tear every tender passion from his heart
And greatly die to make a people happy!—Thomson.
LESSONS:—
1. A brave nation it slow to believe in its possible extinction.
2. The calamities of a nation are all the more painful when conscious they were preventible.
3. The nation that discards the Divine protectorate it absolutely defenceless.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
2Ki_24:1-4. The beginning of the national catastrophe.
1. A desperate but futile attempt to recover national independence (2Ki_24:1).
2. The harrassing inroads of combined enemies (2Ki_24:2).
3. The forces of destruction are under the Divine sanction (2Ki_24:3).
4. The national iniquity attains a malignity and turpitude that utterly forfeit the Divine pardon (2Ki_24:4).
2Ki_24:2. This passage describes the irruption of different inorganic bands of freebooters. The time of it may correspond to the time of that Scythian domination of which Herodotus speaks. In such an anarchy, waifs and relics of the different nations, which had been extinguished by the Assyrian Empire, would be gathered together. What the Greek historian describes under one vague general name, would present itself to each particular land as a collection of different neighbouring tribes, one more conspicuous and civilized than the rest as its leader. Nebuchadnezzar now presents himself to us as the head and representative of the Chaldæan race, as the organiser of these loose bands into a new empire, as the conqueror of Egypt, as the Babylonian ruler of his day.—Maurice.
2Ki_24:3. The judgment came not merely for the actual sins of that one idolatrous king, but, as the whole course of the history shows, because the nation persisted in a class of sins of which those of Manasseh were most conspicuous representatives.—Whedon.
2Ki_24:6. A mystery hangs over his death, befitting the gloom and mystery of the times; one account speaking of him as having fallen in a skirmish with a band of raiders, or in a battle with Nebuchadnezzar, and being left un buried; another as having been murdered in Jerusalem, and cast out on the streets; a third, as having been enticed to Nebuchadnezzar’s camp, and there put to death, and left without burial. But, whatever the mode of his death, so bitterly was he hated that no funeral dirge was raised for him, though he was the son of Josiah, and his corpse was left thrown out, like that of a dead ass, on the waste land outside the gates of Jerusalem, in the sun by day, and the frost by night. Ultimately, indeed, if we may trust the Septuagint, his dishonoured body was rescued from this last shame, and interied alongside Josiah and Manasseh, in their tomb in the garden of Uzzah, which was connected, apparently, with the royal stronghold on Aphel. But men whispered that on the dried skin of the corpse, as it lay naked before all, the name of the demon, Codonazer, to whom he had sold himself, appeared stamped in clear Hebrew letters.—Geikie.
2Ki_24:7. The fall of a nation.
1. A part of the Divine plan in the government of the world.
2. Removes a prop on which a weaker nation had been accustomed to lean.
3. Prepares the way for the desolating march of Divine vengeance.
—The judgment upon Judea was really a judgment upon all nations. Egypt, the land of the Philistines, the kings of Tyrus, the kings of Sidon, the kings of Arabia, the kings of the mingled people that dwelt in the desert, were all forced to drink of a wine cup of fury which had been mingled for them. It was a time of far-reaching destruction and desolation. The great conqueror, the destroyer of boundaries, had gone forth; God had given the inhabitants of earth into his hands for a certain season; no strength or policy would avert or delay the sentence.—Maurice.
—Easy won, easy lost. This has always been the fortune of conquerors; what one has won by robbery and force, another mightier takes from him. The Lord in heaven makes the great small, and the rich poor (1Sa_2:7; Psa_75:7).
2Ki_24:8-17. A crown lost.
1. By a stubborn persistence in sin (2Ki_24:9).
2. In sheer inability to resist overwhelming numbers (2Ki_24:10-12).
3. Involves all its former supporters in degradation and servitude (2Ki_24:14-16).
4. Is followed by the total impoverishment of a nation (2Ki_24:13.)
2Ki_24:8. Though his reign at Jerusalem was so short and unfortunate, he was looked upon by the exiles as the last lawful successor to the throne of David; and notwithstanding the appointment of Zedekiah, Jehoiachin remained the representative king of Judah, and in the preservation of his life through thirty-seven years of imprisonment, and his elevation to kingly honours in the court of Babylon, the theocratic historian discerned the purpose of Jehovah to perpetuate the throne of David.—Whedon.
2Ki_24:12. The incident was never forgotten. Writing after the last fall of Jerusalem, Josephus tells as that as long as the city stood the anniversary of an event so touching was commemorated in the services of the temple as a signal instance of self-sacrifice for the public good. Jehoiachin had gone, with his family, men said, into voluntary captivity, to save the temple from being destroyed, and we may, also, readily believe, to save the city and its inhabitants.—Geikie.
2Ki_24:14-16. Liberty lost.
1. When the king is dethroned and captive.
2. When its brave defenders are vanquished and demoralised.
3. When the Fatherland is in the pitiless grasp of a victorious foe.
—The shock of such a calamity was terrible. Nearly a hundred-and-fifty years had passed since the glades beyond the Jordan had resounded with the lamentations of the captives of Gilead, dragged away to Assyria by Tiglath Pileser, and it was over a hundred-and-twenty years since Sargon had marched back to Nineveh, leading the people of the Western half of the kingdom of the Ten Tribes into exile. Assyria had fallen within the last few years, and now itself lay in ruins as desolate as those of the Hebrew cities it had turned into solitudes. But another power had risen as fierce and ruthless, and Judah, the last hope of the chosen people, saw its king and its leading citizens swept off in chains to the Euphrates.—Geikie.
—Notice God’s mercy and long-suffering even in His judgments. He still allows the kingdom to stand, and turns the heart of the enemy so that he does not yet make an utter end of it (Eze_18:23; Eze_18:32).
2Ki_24:18-20. The infatuation of rebellion.
1. Notwithstanding the hopelessness of success.
2. An evidence of the blinding nature of incorrigible sin.
3. Invites and hastens the approach of Divine vengeance.
—The reign of Zedekiah presents us with the most vivid picture of a king and people sinking deeper and deeper into an abyss, ever and anon making wild and frantic efforts to rise out of it, imputing their evil to every one but themselves—their struggles for a nominal freedom always proving them to be both slaves and tyrants at heart.—Maurice.
2Ki_24:20. It is characteristic of the high standard of prophetic morality that the violation of this oath, though made to a heathen sovereign, was regarded as the crowning vice of the weak king of Judah.—Stanley.
—In the course of God’s righteous Providence, his policy as king would prove ruinous to his country. Instigated by ambassadors from the neighbouring states who came to congratulate him on his accession to the throne (Jer_17:3, with Jer_28:1), and at the same time get him to join them in a common league to throw off the Assyrian yoke, Zedekiah rebelled. Though warned by Jeremiah against this step, the infatuated and perjured Zedekiah (Eze_17:13) persisted in his revolt by forming an alliance with Egypt.—Jamieson.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
J. R. Dummelow 1909 · Public Domain On v1 Jehoiachin and Nebuchadnezzar
Jehoiachin and Nebuchadnezzar
This chapter recounts the reigns of Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin, the invasion of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (who carried into captivity Jehoiachin and numbers of the people), and the reign of Zedekiah.
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1. Nebuchadnezzar] called more accurately in Jer_25:9 and elsewhere 'Nebuchadrezzar.' He was the son of the Nabopolassar who conquered Nineveh (see on 2Ki_23:29), and, as his father's general, defeated the Egyptians in 605 at Carchemish on the Euphrates (Jer_46:2). This success left the countries lying between the two great powers of Babylon and Egypt at the mercy of the former (2Ki_24:7); and consequently when Nebuchadnezzar succeeded his father, Jehoiakim (as here related) submitted to him. Some inscriptions of Nebuchadnezzar have been discovered in various parts of Palestine, but such as are decipherable relate not to his campaigns but to his buildings.
Became bis servant three years] It is rather difficult to harmonise the statements respecting Jehoiakim's reign contained in this chapter with 2Ch_36:5-8 and in Dan_1:2. In 2Ch_36:6; Jehoiakim is said to have been bound in fetters by Nebuchadnezzar in order to be carried to Babylon, and in Daniel his capture is described as having taken place in his third year. He was, however, in his own capital in the 'fourth' year of his reign (Jer_36:1); so that if these passages are to be reconciled with Kings it must be assumed that he was restored to his throne by the Babylonian king, and that the events here related took place after his restoration.
2. The Chaldees] here used to designate the Babylonians. Syrians.. Moabites.. Ammon] For these as enemies of Judah at this period see Jer_35:11; Jer_48:27; Eze_25:1.
His servants the prophets] The most prominent of the prophets who denounced judgment against the offending nation at this time was Jeremiah: see especially Jeremiah 25, 26, 35, 36, 45. Unlike his predecessor Isaiah, the prophet declared that Jerusalem would be totally destroyed if its inhabitants did not repent; and for this he was adjudged worthy of death, though his life was preserved by the interference of certain elders. Another prophet named Urijah, who also prophesied against the city, fled to Egypt to escape destruction, but he was surrendered to Jehoiakim by the Egyptian king and put to death: see Jeremiah 26.
5. The rest of the acts] The circumstances of Jehoiakim's death are uncertain. The predictions of Jeremiah (Jer_22:18-19; Jer_36:30) suggest that he died a violent death and that his corpse was left unburied, and Josephus states that Nebuchadnezzar, to whom Jehoiakim had capitulated, broke his pledges and slew him. But 2Ki_24:6 is rather opposed to this.
7. The river of Egypt] see on 1Ki_8:65.
8. Jehoiachin] also called Coniah and Jeconiah (Jer_22:24; Jer_24:1).
11. And.. besiege it] RV 'while his servants were besieging it,' implying that the city was invested before Nebuchadnezzar, who was engaged in besieging Tyre, appeared in person to conduct the war.
12. His mother] i.e. the queen-mother: see on 1Ki_2:19. In the eighth year] i.e. of Nebuchadnezzar's reign. In Jer_52:28 mention is made of a capture of 3,023 persons in Nebuchadnezzar's seventh year, of which there is no record in Kings, while Jeremiah makes no allusion to the deportation of prisoners here related.
14. The poorest sort] They were as worthless in character as obscure in station: see Jer_24:1-8. Among the better class who were carried away on this occasion was the prophet Ezekiel.
16. Seven thousand.. a thousand] If these numbers are included in the 10,000 of 2Ki_24:14, it must be assumed that the princes and their numerous retainers constituted the remaining 2,000.
17. Mattaniah] as Mattaniah was brother of Jehoiakim, he must have been uncle of Jehoiachin; so that 2Ch_36:10 in describing him as brother of the latter uses the term vaguely. In 1Ch_3:16 he is called son of Jeconiah, in the sense of successor. Changed his name] see on 2Ki_23:34.
18. Hamutal] Zedekiah was only half-brother of Jehoiakim but full brother of Jehoahaz (see 2Ki_23:31), and as Jehoahaz was imprisoned by the king of Egypt, Nebuchadnezzar may have calculated that in his brother he would find a loyal vassal who would support Babylonian rather than Egyptian interests.
19. He did that which was evil] cp. Jer_37:2. Zedekiah seems to have been weak but not unmerciful, and he was unable to cope with the princes who were his advisers: cp. Jer_38:4, Jer_38:5. When the latter put Jeremiah in prison on a charge of deserting to the enemy, Zedekiah delivered him (Jer_39:11-18); and on a second occasion, when he was flung into a foul dungeon, he was once more rescued with the king's consent (Jer_38:6.).
20. Rebelled] Zedekiah was bound by oath to Nebuchadnezzar (2Ch_36:13; Eze_17:13), but overtures from Edom, Moab, Tyre, and other countries drew him from his allegiance, in spite of the opposition of the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 27), and as hopes were entertained of Egyptian help rebellion was finally resolved on.
J. R. Dummelow, A Commentary on the Holy Bible (Macmillan, 1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv8, 12 Cf. 2Ch 36:9; 1Co 10:8. (See Scofield "1Co 10:8").
eighteen
Cf. 2Ch 36:9; 1Co 10:8. (See Scofield "1Co 10:8").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Arno C. Gaebelein 1922 · Public Domain On v1 2. Jehoiachin and Zedekiah: The Beginning of Judah’s Captivity
2. Jehoiachin and Zedekiah: The Beginning of Judah’s Captivity
CHAPTER 24
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1. Jehoiakim, Servant of Nebuchadnezzar, and His Death (2Ki 24:1-5; 2Ch 36:6-7)
2. Jehoiachin (2Ki 24:6-10; 2Ch 36:8-9)
3. The first deportation to Babylon (2Ki 24:11-16)
4. Zedekiah, the last king, and his rebellion (2Ki 24:17-20)
The foe of Judah, the chosen instrument of the Lord to execute His wrath upon the people and the city, now comes to the front. Jeremiah had predicted the coming judgment; Isaiah and the other prophets did the same. Then Jehoiakim proclaimed a fast (Jer 36:9). It was nothing but hypocrisy. Immediately after, he cut the scroll to pieces and cast it into the fire. Jeremiah and his secretary Baruch hardly escaped with their lives. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, bound Jehoiakim in fetters to carry him to Babylon (2Ch 36:6). This was not done because Nebuchadnezzar was suddenly called to Babylon. The book of Daniel introduces us more fully to this great monarch, the head of the times of the Gentiles; we give in the annotations on that book more information about his character and history.
Nabopalassar, founded the new Babylonian empire, which began the period of the Chaldees--as they are chiefly known to us in Scripture. Here we may at once indicate that he was succeeded by his son, Nebuchadrezzar (or Nebuchadnezzar), and he in turn by his son, Evil-merodach, who, after two years’ reign, was dethroned by his brother-in-law, Neriglissar. After four years (559-556 B.C.) Neriglissar was succeeded by his youthful son, Laborosoarchod. After his murder, Nabonidos (Nabunit, Nabuna’id) acceded to the government, but after seventeen years’ reign (555-539 B.C.) was dethroned by Cyrus. The eldest son of Nabonidos, and heir to the throne, was Belshazzar whom we know from the book of Daniel, where, in a not unusual manner, he is designated as the son, that is, the descendant of Nebuchadrezzar (Dan 5:2; Dan 5:11; Dan 5:18). We infer that, while his father, Nabonidos, went to meet Cyrus, to whom he surrendered, thereby preserving his life, Belshazzar had been left as “king” in Babylon at the taking of which he perished in the night of his feast, described in Holy Scripture. (See The Prophet Daniel, by A.C. Gaebelein.)
Jehoiakim became a vassal of Nebuchadnezzar. Three years later he rebelled. Punishment followed swiftly. It was “at the commandment of the LORD.”
After the death of Jehoiakim, buried with the burial of an ass (Jer 22:1-19), his son Jehoiachin reigned in his stead. He was eighteen years old when he ascended the throne and reigned only three months and ten days (2Ch 36:9). (2Ch 36:9 gives his age as eight years, evidently the error of a scribe.) He is also known by the names of Joiachin (Eze 1:2) and Coniah (Jer 22:24; Jer 22:28; Jer 37:1). Then Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. The city surrendered and the long predicted punishment was executed. At the first invasion under the reign of Jehoiakim, when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, a part of the vessels of the house of God were transported to Babylon, as well as the noble children, among whom were Daniel and his companions (Dan 1:1-6). With the second siege and conquest of Jerusalem all was taken and the people were taken away captives, among them was the prophet Ezekiel (Jer 52:28; Eze 1:1-2; Jer 29:1).
A remnant, however, was left behind; Jehoiachin was carried into captivity. The last chapter of this book gives his fate. He never returned. Important is to note the curse which was pronounced upon him. Jeremiah pronounced it upon Coniah Jehoiachin). “Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days; for no man of his seed shall prosper sitting upon the throne of David and ruling any more in Judah” (Jer 22:28-30). He had children; no offspring of the line of Solomon was ever to occupy the throne of David. But there were the descendants of David through another line, that is, Nathan’s; no curse rested upon that line. The virgin Mary, the mother of our Lord, was of David through Nathan (Luk 3:31). Joseph, to whom Mary the virgin was espoused was a son of David through Solomon’s line.
Nebuchadnezzar made Mattaniah, the youngest son of Josiah, King over Judah (compare verse 18 with chapter 23:31). His name means “the gift of Jehovah” and he changed it into Zedekiah, “the righteousness of Jehovah.” Here is no doubt a prophetic hint. When Judah and Jerusalem went down in judgment, in unspeakable ruin and shame, God indicated in thievery names of the last king that there would yet come from David’s line He, who is His own precious gift and in whom righteousness will be given and established. Zedekiah filled full the measure of wickedness and finally rebelled against the king of Babylon.
Arno C. Gaebelein, The Annotated Bible (1913–1922) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On vv1, 8 The Reign of Jehoiakim
The Reign of Jehoiakim
v. 1. In his days, in the fifth or sixth year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came up, after he had inflicted a decisive defeat on the Egyptian forces at Carchemish, on the Euphrates, Jer 46:2, and Jehoiakim, after the surrender of Jerusalem,became his servant, his tributary vassal, three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him.
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v. 2. And the Lord sent against him, as a punishment for his sins, bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, not in an organized army at first, but in companies of raiders; for all these nations, while recognizing Nebuchadnezzar’s supremacy, took the opportunity of gratifying their own hate against Judah, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according the word of the Lord which He spake to His servants, the prophets, 2Ki 20:17; 2Ki 21:12-14; 2Ki 23:27.
v. 3. Surely at the commandment of the Lord, because God so willed it, as is here once more stated for the sake of emphasis, came this upon Judah to remove them out of His sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did, his wickedness having polluted the entire nation,
v. 4. and also for the innocent blood that he shed; for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, which the Lord would not pardon, 2Ki 21:16.
v. 5. 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?
v. 6. So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers, Jer 22:19; Jer 36:30; and Jehoiachin, his son, reigned in his stead.
v. 7. And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land, after the decisive defeat on the Euphrates; for the king of Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all that pertained to the king of Egypt, all the countries which had become tributary to Egypt. The corruptions of these last days of the world are similar to those preceding the first destruction of Jerusalem, and so the Judgment must be near.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 15 In Jehoiakim's days
In Jehoiakim's days
"During the time that Jehoiakim ruled Judah"
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attacked Judah
You may need to make explicit what happened after Nebuchadnezzar attacked Judah. AT: "attacked and defeated Judah" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
This was in conformity with the word of Yahweh that had been spoken through his servants the prophets
This can be translated in active form. AT: "This was according to the word of Yahweh that his servants the prophets had spoken" or "This was exactly what Yahweh had told his servants the prophets to say would happen" (See: Active or Passive)
translationWords
Jehoiakim
Nebuchadnezzar
king
Babylon
kingdom of Judah
servant
turn
rebel
Yahweh
send
Chaldea
Aram
Moab
Ammon
word of God
prophet
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14 24:1–25:21 Nebuchadnezzar II invaded Judah on at least three…
24:1–25:21 Nebuchadnezzar II invaded Judah on at least three occasions (605, 597, 586 BC) and took plunder from Jerusalem and captives to Babylon (see 24:1, 10-17; 25:1-21).
24:1 In 605 BC, Nebuchadnezzar commanded forces that defeated the remaining Assyrian army and an Egyptian contingent at Carchemish (see Jer 46:2). While he campaigned in the west, his father, Nabopolassar, died, and Nebuchadnezzar returned home to assume the throne as Nebuchadnezzar II (605–562 BC). When he rejoined his troops, they easily moved down the Mediterranean coast. Sometime during this campaign, he invaded the land of Judah and took much plunder and many captives to Babylon, including Daniel and his three friends (Dan 1:1-7). Jehoiakim was made a vassal to Nebuchadnezzar and paid him tribute for three years. When Pharaoh Neco defeated the Babylonians at the Egyptian border in 601 BC, Jehoiakim rebelled, seizing the opportunity to gain his independence.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.