Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 24
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was the most powerful man in the world. When Jehoiachin agreed to accept defeat, Nebuchadnezzar came himself to Jerusalem. He wanted to claim the honour for his army’s success. He also wanted to make the arrangements for Jehoiachin to hand the city over to him.
Nebuchadnezzar demanded a very great price before he agreed to take his army away from Jerusalem. He considered Jehoiachin and his officials to be criminals, because they had chosen to oppose him. In Nebuchadnezzar’s opinion, he was showing great kindness when he agreed not to destroy the city and to kill its people.
So, Jehoiachin and the inhabitants of Jerusalem could only ask to live. If they had asked for anything more, they could not have peace with Babylon.
Jehoiachin himself had to allow Babylon’s soldiers to lead him away as a prisoner. He expected to remain a prisoner for the rest of his life. However, in fact, after 37 years a future king of Babylon freed him and gave him a position of honour in the palace (25:27-30).
Nebuchadnezzar also took away gold and precious objects from Jerusalem. His soldiers led away Jehoiachin’s officials, and even his mother and his wives. Probably, he put some or all of them in prison.
Nebuchadnezzar decided to make Jerusalem into a poor and weak city under the rule of Zedekiah, Jehoiachin’s uncle. So, he took away to Babylon everyone who was strong, or skilled. Nebuchadnezzar was building Babylon into a great city (Daniel 4:30). There was plenty of work for the skilled workmen from Jerusalem to do there. The soldiers from Jerusalem could join Babylon’s army, to fight in a distant part of the vast country that Nebuchadnezzar controlled. So, the people who remained were poor, weak and old people. Nebuchadnezzar left them to look after Jerusalem.
Next part: Zedekiah, the last king of Judah (2 Kings 24:18-20)
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