Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 24

Verses 1-7

2 Kings 23:36 to 2 Kings 24:7 . Jehoiakim.— A fuller account of the reign is given by Jeremiah, who consistently opposed the king (see Jeremiah 25-27, 35 f., and especially 2 Kings 22:13-19).

The external events of the time are as follows (p. 60). The Assyrian empire came to an end with the fall of Nineveh, about 606 B.C. In 605 B.C. the Egyptians were utterly defeated and driven out of Syria after the battle of Carchemish ( Jeremiah 46:2; see 2 Kings 24:7). Nebuchadrezzar succeeded his father in that year, when Jehoiakim transferred his allegiance from Egypt to Babylon ( 2 Kings 24:1). After three years he rebelled, and was harried by raids ( 2 Kings 24:2). His end is obscure; Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 22:19) foretold a disgraceful burial. 2 Chronicles 36:6 says that he was taken captive to Babylon. Here ( 2 Kings 24:6) it is simply said that “ he slept with his fathers.”

2 Kings 24:4 . The innocent blood ( Jeremiah 27:16-22). The king tried to kill Jeremiah, but the elders remonstrated. He actually put to death a prophet named Urijah.

2 Kings 24:7 . The king of Egypt had been at first the suzerain of Jehoiakim. The Jews to the last, as they had done in the time of Isaiah (Isaiah 31), hoped for help from Egypt ( Jeremiah 37:7).

Verses 8-17

2 Kings 24:8-17 . Jehoiachin and the First Captivity of Judah.— The name of this king is also given as Coniah ( Jeremiah 22:24) and Jeconiah ( Jeremiah 29:2). Evidently Babylon’ s vengeance for his father’ s treachery fell on him.

2 Kings 24:8 . Eighteen years old: 2 Chronicles 36:9 has “ eight,” an obvious error, for Jehoaichin was evidently grown up ( Jeremiah 22:28). The Captivity dates from his reign, and he is considered the last of the kings of Judah. Only the most desirable of the inhabitants of Jerusalem ( 2 Kings 24:16) were made captive. The rest were left under the king’ s uncle, Mattaniah, whose name was changed to Zedekiah (righteousness of Yahweh), as was customary in the case of vassal monarchs ( 2 Kings 23:34).

Verses 18-20

2 Kings 24:18 to 2 Kings 25:7 . Zedekiah. Destruction of Temple and City.— This event is related more fully in Jeremiah. Zedekiah seems to have been well-meaning but weak, and inclined to favour Jeremiah when not hindered by his nobles. The siege of Jerusalem, which lasted nearly two years ( 2 Kings 25:1-4), is more fully related in Jeremiah 37:1 to Jeremiah 39:7.

2 Kings 24:6 . and they gave judgement upon him: Zedekiah’ s offence was intriguing with Egypt and breaking his treaty with Nebuchadrezzar ( Ezekiel 17:15).