The Final Years of Judah

INTRODUCTION: These two chapters deal with the final chaotic years of Judah, the siege and fall of Jerusalem, and the destruction of the nation. This is a sober section of scripture that reminds us that God will judge those who refuse to obey Him. Yet, even in this sad account, God retains a remnant and through them will restore the nation again at the proper time.

1. THE REIGN OF JEHOIAKIM (2 Kings 24:1-7)
1. Three Years as Servant of Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:1)
1. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came up against Judah.
2. Jehoiakim became his servant for three years.
3. Then Jehoiakim rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.
2. Judgment Sent by the Lord (2 Kings 24:2-4)
1. The LORD sent bands against Jehoiakim (2 Kings 24:2).
1. The Chaldees
2. The Syrians
3. The Moabites
4. The Ammonites
2. According to the word of the LORD (2 Kings 24:2-3)
3. Because of the sins of Manasseh (2 Kings 24:3-4)
3. End of the Reign of Jehoiakim (2 Kings 24:5-6)
1. The rest of his acts (2 Kings 24:5)
2. His death and successor (2 Kings 24:6)
4. End of the Influence of Egypt (2 Kings 24:7)
2. SHORT REIGN OF JEHOIACHIN (2 Kings 24:8-16)
1. Details of His Reign (2 Kings 24:8)
1. He was 18 years old when he began to reign.
2. He reigned three months in Jerusalem.
3. His mothers name was Nehushta.
2. Character of His Reign (2 Kings 24:9)
1. He did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.
2. According to all that his father had done
3. Siege of Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:10-11)
1. About the time Jehoiachin began to reign (2 Kings 24:10)
2. Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:11).
4. Surrender of Jehoiachins Household (2 Kings 24:12)
1. The king and his family surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar.
2. They surrendered in the 8th year of Nebuchadnezzars reign.
5. Nebuchadnezzars Spoil (2 Kings 24:13-16)
1. The treasures (2 Kings 24:13)
1. He carried out the treasures of the house of the LORD.
2. He carried out the treasures of the kings house.
3. He cut in pieces the vessels of gold which Solomon had made.
2. The people (2 Kings 24:14-16)
1. He carried away the princes, mighty men of valour, craftsmen, and smiths (2 Kings 24:14, 16).
2. He carried away Jehoiachin, his family, and his officers (2 Kings 24:15).
3. REIGN OF ZEDEKIAH (2 Kings 24:17-20)
1. Beginning of His Reign (2 Kings 24:17-18)
1. Made king by Nebuchadnezzar, who changed his name (2 Kings 24:17)
2. He was 21 years old when he began to reign and reigned for 11 years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:18).
2. Character of His Reign (2 Kings 24:19)
1. He did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.
2. According to all that Jehoiakim had done
3. Rebellion of Zedekiah (2 Kings 24:20)
1. All this came to pass through the anger of the LORD.
2. Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
4. SIEGE OF JERUSALEM (2 Kings 25:1-7)
1. Long Siege of the City (2 Kings 25:1-2)
1. Nebuchadnezzar came again to besiege Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1).
2. The besiegement lasted nearly a year-and-a-half (2 Kings 25:2).
2. Breaking Up of the City (2 Kings 25:3-4)
1. A famine prevailed in the city (2 Kings 25:3).
2. The city was broken up, and the men of war fled (2 Kings 25:4).
3. The king fled by the way toward the plain (2 Kings 25:4).
3. Capture of the King and His Army (2 Kings 25:5-7)
1. Zedekiah was overtaken and captured (2 Kings 25:5).
2. He was brought back to Nebuchadnezzar for judgment (2 Kings 25:6).
3. Zedekiah was punished severely (2 Kings 25:7).
1. His sons were killed in his sight.
2. His eyes were put out.
3. He was bound with fetters.
4. He was carried away to Babylon.
5. FALL OF JERUSALEM (2 Kings 25:8-21)
1. The Destruction of the City (2 Kings 25:8-10)
1. Burning of the city (2 Kings 25:8-9)
1. Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, came unto Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:8).
2. He burnt the house of the LORD, the kings house, and other houses within Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:9).
2. Breaking down of the wall (2 Kings 25:10)
2. Captivity of the People (2 Kings 25:11-12)
1. Many other people were carried away into Babylon (2 Kings 25:11).
2. Only the poor were left to be vinedressers and husbandmen (2 Kings 25:12).
3. Destruction of the Temple (2 Kings 25:13-17)
1. The Chaldeans broke the pillars of brass, the bases, and the brasen sea (2 Kings 25:13).
2. They carried away the brass, gold, and silver (2 Kings 25:13-17).
4. Killing of the Chief Men (2 Kings 25:18-21)
1. Nebuzaradan gathered chief men that remained (2 Kings 25:18-19).
2. He brought them to the king of Babylon in Riblah (2 Kings 25:20).
3. The king of Babylon smote them (2 Kings 25:21).
6. JUDAH AFTER THE FALL (2 Kings 25:22-26)
1. Gedaliah Made Governor of the Land (2 Kings 25:22-24)
1. Nebuchadnezzar made Gedaliah to rule over those remaining in Judah (2 Kings 25:22).
2. Several military leaders came to Gedaliah and were instructed to submit to Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25:23-24).
2. Gedaliah Killed by Ishmael (2 Kings 25:25)
1. Ishmael, of the seed royal, came against Gedaliah.
2. He and his men killed Gedaliah and the Chaldeans that were with him.
3. Remaining People Fled to Egypt (2 Kings 25:26)
1. Many people fled to Egypt for fear of the Chaldeans.
2. They were afraid because of the actions of Ishmael.
7. KINDNESS TO JEHOIACHIN IN BABYLON (2 Kings 25:27-30)
1. Removed from Prison (2 Kings 25:27)
1. Nebuchadnezzar was replaced by his successor, Evilmerodach.
2. Jehoiachin was brought out of prison.
2. Treated with Kindness (2 Kings 25:28-30)
1. Evilmerodach treated Jehoiachin with kindness (2 Kings 25:28).
2. He promoted Jehoiachin above other kings in Babylon (2 Kings 25:28).
3. He changed Jehoiachins prison garments and fed him at the kings table all the days of his life (2 Kings 25:29).
4. He was given an allowance, a daily rate, all the days of his life (2 Kings 25:30).

CONCLUSION: Even this tragic tale ends with hope. Jehoiachin has been in a Babylonian prison for 27 years. He is now 45 years old. But at this time, the king of Babylon takes him from the prison and treats him kindly. This act foreshadows the future grace that the Lord will show on the Jews. He has still not forgotten them. What a wondrous display of God’s grace!