Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 36

Verses 1-23

This is the record of the final movements in the downward course of Judah. They are graphically given. First Jehoahaz reigned for three months, and was deposed by the king of Egypt. Jehoiakim succeeded by appointment of Pharaoh, and after eleven years of continued evil courses was carried prisoner by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon.

In turn he was succeeded by Jehoiachin, who persisted in the same evil courses for three months and ten days, and in turn was carried away by Nebuchadnezzar.

Zedekiah, appointed by Nebuchadnezzar to the succession, rebelled against him, and continued the same evil history for eleven years, during which corruption became practically universal, the priests and the people sharing therein. Through all these dark days God still patiently waited, sending His messengers because of His compassion. The men who had rebelled against His government contemned His mercy, until the Chaldeans, a people without compassion, swept down upon them like a terrible scourge, and carried the remnant away captive to Babylon.

The Book closes with a statement of the proclamation of Cyrus, which also opens the Book of Ezra.