Bible summary
We come to the final two chapters of 2 Kings, which describe the end of the southern kingdom of Judah.
Chapter 24 opens with Jehoiakim as king and Judah serving the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. After Jehoiakim’s death, Jehoiachin is made king. Jerusalem comes under siege by Nebuchadnezzar and the first group of exiles, including the king Jehoiachin, is taken away to Babylon. Zedekiah is then made king, but he does evil in the sight of God.
In chapter 25, in response to Zedekiah’s rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar lays siege again to Jerusalem. As a result of the siege, there is a severe famine, and the people eventually give up and break out of the city to run away. Zedekiah is captured, his sons are killed, and he is taken away to Babylon.
The Babylonians take away the remaining items from the temple, burn the temple down and break down the walls surrounding the city. They carry away the remaining inhabitants into captivity but leave a small remnant in Judah. The chapter, and the book, however, ends on a hopeful note with king Jehoiachin (who was part of the early exiles) being brought out of prison. This speaks of God’s lovingkindness and foreshadows His intent to restore the people back to their land.
