Author: gregsloop

Johoiachin was the next-to-last king of Judah before their captivity in Babylon.  A follow-up story is inserted here at the end of the book of 2 Kings concerning him.  He was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar and taken to a prison in Babylon prior to Judah's final defeat.  For some reason, Evil-Merodach, the new king of … Continue reading Reprieve (2 Kings 25:27 – 30)

Zedekiah reigned nine years in Judah, then King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieged the city of Jerusalem for two years.  Due to famine conditions, the men of war broke through their own walls and fled at night, but were pursued by the Chaldean king, who caught them in Jericho.  They were scattered, and the king was … Continue reading The Fall and Captivity of Judah ( 2 Kings 25:1 – 26)

The King of Babylon carried away all the treasures of the house of the Lord and cut in pieces the articles of gold Solomon had made in the temple of the Lord.  He carried away all the people of Jerusalem: captains, mighty men, craftsmen, everyone except the poorest people of the land.  He carried king … Continue reading The Captivity of Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:13 – 20; 2 Chronicles 36)

Johoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign in Judah, and only reigned three months.  He did evil in the sight of the Lord.  Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came up against Jerusalem and beseiged it.  The king of Judah went out to him, and Nebuchadnezzer took him captive. This brief account shows once more … Continue reading Jehoiachin’S Brief Reign (2 Kings 24:7 – 13)

Jehoiakim was basically the puppet of Pharaoh Necho, and paid the tribute that Necho commanded by taxing the people of Judah.  He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and reigned eleven years, but mostly in servitude to other nations.  He did evil in the sight of the Lord.  Nebuchadnezzar came and made Jehoiakim … Continue reading Jehoiakim is Oppressed by Many (2 Kings 23:35 – 24:7)

Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah, reigned after Josiah's death.  He was twenty-three years old and reigned three months.  He did evil in the sight of the Lord.  Pharaoh Necho captured him and put him in prison at Riblah, preventing him from reigning in Jerusalem.  Necho imposed a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and … Continue reading The Beginning of the End for Judah: Jehoahaz and Pharaoh Necho (2 Kings 23:31 – 34)

Even with the godly reign of Josiah, Israel faced judgement.  Manasseh had provoked him and brought that judgement to bear against Judah, but God delayed the judgement during tht life of Josiah, the righteous king.  God promised to remove Judah as He had Israel.  Josiah's death was at the hands of Pharaoh Necho of Egypt. … Continue reading Judgement Looms (2 Kings 23:26 – 30)

Shaphan the scribe brought a report to Hilkiah the priest that the work of restoring the temple, and the collections for the work were going well.  They also discussed a book the scribe had found.  They brought the book to Josiah the king, and when he heard the reading of it, he tore his clothes … Continue reading Josiah’s Reforms (2 Kings 22:3 – 23:25; 2 Chronicles 34-35)

Amon reigned in the place of his father, Manasseh, after his death.  He only reigned two years, and was evil.  He served all the idols his father had served, and forsook the Lord God of his father's.  His servants conspired to kill him in his own house.  The people of the land killed the conspirators, … Continue reading Amon and Josiah (2 Kings 21:19 – 22:2)