Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 25

Introduction

Overview

2 Kings 25:1, Jerusalem is besieged; 2 Kings 25:4, Zedekiah taken, his sons slain, his eyes put out; 2 Kings 25:8, Nebuzar-adan defaces the city, carries the remnant, except a few poor labourers, into captivity; 2 Kings 25:13, and spoils and carries away the treasures; 2 Kings 25:18, The nobles are slain at Riblah; 2 Kings 25:22, Gedaliah, who was over them that remained, being slain, the rest flee into Egypt; 2 Kings 25:27, Evil-merodach advances Jehoiachin in his court.

Verse 1

am 3414, bc 590

in the ninth: This according to the computation of Archbishop Usher, was on Thursday, January 30th, am 3414, which was a sabbatical year; wherein they proclaimed liberty to their servants, according to the law, but soon enthralled them again - see Jeremiah 34:8-10. 2 Chronicles 36:17-21, Jeremiah 34:2, Jeremiah 34:3-6, Jeremiah 39:1-10, Jeremiah 52:4, Jeremiah 52:5-11, Ezekiel 24:1, Ezekiel 24:2-14

Nebuchadnezzar: 2 Kings 24:1, 2 Kings 24:10, 1 Chronicles 6:15, Jeremiah 27:8, Jeremiah 32:28, Jeremiah 43:10, Jeremiah 51:34, Ezekiel 26:7, Nebuchadrezzar, Daniel 4:1-18

pitched: Isaiah 29:3, Jeremiah 32:24, Ezekiel 4:1-8, Ezekiel 21:22-24, Luke 19:43, Luke 19:44

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:52 - General 1 Kings 16:17 - besieged Tirzah 2 Kings 6:24 - gathered 2 Kings 17:5 - three years 2 Kings 22:16 - all the words Ezra 4:15 - for which Ezra 5:12 - into the hand Jeremiah 1:3 - unto the end Jeremiah 4:7 - lion Jeremiah 4:17 - keepers Jeremiah 6:3 - they shall Jeremiah 21:2 - for Jeremiah 32:1 - in the Jeremiah 34:1 - when Lamentations 1:17 - commanded Ezekiel 4:6 - forty days Ezekiel 21:14 - let the Ezekiel 21:23 - but Ezekiel 23:23 - Babylonians Ezekiel 40:1 - after Micah 5:1 - he hath

Verse 2

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 24:10 - was besieged Jeremiah 21:2 - for Jeremiah 32:1 - in the Jeremiah 39:1 - the ninth

Verse 3

am 3416, bc 588

the ninth day: Jeremiah 39:2, Jeremiah 52:6, Zechariah 8:19

the famine: Leviticus 26:26, Deuteronomy 28:52, Deuteronomy 28:53, Lamentations 4:4-10, Ezekiel 4:9-17, Ezekiel 5:10, Ezekiel 5:12, Ezekiel 7:15, Ezekiel 14:21

there was no: Jeremiah 37:21, Jeremiah 38:2

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 6:25 - a great famine Isaiah 8:21 - hardly bestead Jeremiah 41:1 - the seventh month

Verse 4

the city: This being the ninth day of the fourth month, corresponded to Wednesday, July 27. Jeremiah 5:10, Jeremiah 39:2, Jeremiah 39:3, Jeremiah 52:6, Jeremiah 52:7-11, Ezekiel 33:21

fled: Leviticus 26:17, Leviticus 26:36, Deuteronomy 28:25, Deuteronomy 32:24, Deuteronomy 32:25, Deuteronomy 32:30, Jeremiah 39:4-7

and the king: 2 Kings 25:5, Ezekiel 12:12

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:45 - break down Leviticus 26:31 - And I will make 2 Chronicles 32:5 - another wall Ezra 4:15 - for which Psalms 79:1 - the heathen Isaiah 22:3 - thy rulers Isaiah 24:10 - city Jeremiah 4:9 - that the heart Jeremiah 4:29 - shall flee Jeremiah 32:4 - General Jeremiah 34:3 - And thou Jeremiah 38:18 - then Jeremiah 40:7 - all the Jeremiah 42:18 - As mine Jeremiah 44:30 - as I Lamentations 1:15 - trodden Lamentations 4:18 - hunt Ezekiel 12:4 - at even Ezekiel 12:5 - Dig thou Ezekiel 12:14 - I will scatter Ezekiel 17:9 - shall he Amos 4:3 - ye shall go Micah 4:10 - shalt thou Zechariah 8:19 - the fourth

Verse 5

and overtook: Isaiah 30:16, Jeremiah 24:8, Jeremiah 39:5, Jeremiah 52:8, Amos 2:14-16

Reciprocal: Joshua 4:13 - to the plains 2 Kings 25:4 - and the king Jeremiah 21:7 - I will Jeremiah 34:3 - And thou Lamentations 4:18 - hunt Ezekiel 12:13 - and I Ezekiel 12:14 - I will scatter Ezekiel 17:21 - all his fugitives Ezekiel 19:1 - the princes

Verse 6

they took: 2 Chronicles 33:11, Jeremiah 21:7, Jeremiah 34:21, Jeremiah 34:22, Jeremiah 38:23, Lamentations 4:19, Lamentations 4:20, Ezekiel 17:20, Ezekiel 17:21, Ezekiel 21:25-27

Riblah: 2 Kings 23:33, Jeremiah 52:9

gave judgment upon him: Heb. spake judgment with him

Reciprocal: Numbers 34:11 - Riblah Deuteronomy 28:36 - bring thee 2 Kings 14:13 - took Amaziah 2 Kings 20:18 - thy sons Isaiah 39:7 - of thy sons Jeremiah 34:3 - and thine Jeremiah 39:5 - Riblah Ezekiel 19:12 - strong Ezekiel 21:26 - Remove Habakkuk 1:10 - scoff Zephaniah 1:8 - the princes

Verse 7

they slew: Genesis 21:16, Genesis 44:34, Deuteronomy 28:34, Jeremiah 22:30, Jeremiah 39:6, Jeremiah 39:7, Jeremiah 52:10, Jeremiah 52:11

and put out: Heb. and made blind, Thus were fulfilled the apparently contradictory prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel - that his eyes should see the king of Babylon, but Babylon he should not see, though he should die there. Jeremiah 32:4, Jeremiah 32:5, Jeremiah 34:3, Ezekiel 12:13-16

bound him: Judges 16:21, 2 Chronicles 33:11, 2 Chronicles 36:6, Psalms 107:10, Psalms 107:11, Psalms 149:8, Ezekiel 7:27, Ezekiel 17:16-20

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:36 - bring thee 1 Samuel 31:2 - Saul's sons 2 Kings 17:4 - bound him 1 Chronicles 10:2 - the sons Nehemiah 9:32 - on our kings Ecclesiastes 4:14 - also Ecclesiastes 8:9 - there is Isaiah 39:7 - of thy sons Jeremiah 20:4 - thine Jeremiah 38:23 - they shall Lamentations 2:9 - her king Ezekiel 19:12 - strong Habakkuk 1:10 - scoff Zephaniah 1:8 - the princes

Verse 8

in the fifth month: This answered to Wednesday, August 24; and three days after he reduced the temple to ashes, and carried Judah captive; in the 11th year of Zedekiah; the 19th of Nebuchadnezzar; 424 years, 3 months, and 8 days from the foundation of the temple; 468 years from the beginning of the reign of David; 388 years from the division of the ten tribes; and 134 years from their captivity. Jeremiah 52:12-14, Zechariah 8:19

the nineteenth: 2 Kings 25:27, 2 Kings 24:12

Nebuzaradan: Jeremiah 39:9-14, Jeremiah 40:1-4, Jeremiah 52:12-16, Lamentations 4:12

captain: or, chief marshal

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:36 - captain Ezra 5:12 - into the hand Jeremiah 1:3 - in the fifth Jeremiah 41:1 - the seventh month Zechariah 7:3 - fifth Acts 28:16 - captain

Verse 9

he burnt: 1 Kings 9:8, 2 Chronicles 36:19, Psalms 74:3-7, Psalms 79:1, Isaiah 64:10, Isaiah 64:11, Jeremiah 7:14, Jeremiah 26:9, Lamentations 1:10, Lamentations 2:7, Micah 3:12, Luke 21:5, Luke 21:6, Acts 6:13, Acts 6:14

the king's: Jeremiah 34:22, Jeremiah 37:8, Jeremiah 37:10, Jeremiah 39:8, Jeremiah 52:13, Amos 2:5

Reciprocal: Joshua 6:24 - burnt 1 Kings 9:7 - will I cut Psalms 74:7 - cast fire into thy sanctuary Isaiah 24:10 - city Isaiah 27:9 - when Isaiah 32:14 - the palaces Isaiah 42:25 - and it hath Jeremiah 17:27 - shall devour Jeremiah 32:29 - and set Jeremiah 41:5 - to the Lamentations 2:5 - he hath swallowed up Israel Lamentations 4:1 - How is the gold Ezekiel 7:21 - General Ezekiel 10:2 - scatter Ezekiel 16:41 - burn Ezekiel 22:21 - and blow Amos 6:11 - he will Zechariah 7:3 - fifth

Verse 10

brake: Nehemiah 1:3, Jeremiah 5:10, Jeremiah 39:8, Jeremiah 52:14-23

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 36:19 - brake down Psalms 79:1 - have laid Isaiah 22:5 - breaking Isaiah 24:10 - city Lamentations 4:1 - How is the gold

Verse 11

the rest: Jeremiah 15:1, Jeremiah 15:2, Jeremiah 39:9, Jeremiah 52:12, Ezekiel 5:2, Ezekiel 12:15, Ezekiel 12:16, Ezekiel 22:15, Ezekiel 22:16

fugitives: Heb. fallen away

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:36 - bring thee 2 Kings 18:32 - I come 2 Kings 23:27 - I will remove 2 Chronicles 36:19 - brake down Ezra 2:1 - whom Nebuchadnezzar Nehemiah 7:6 - whom Nebuchadnezzar Isaiah 6:12 - the Lord Jeremiah 52:29 - the eighteenth Lamentations 1:3 - gone Ezekiel 17:21 - all his fugitives Obadiah 1:11 - in the day that the Matthew 1:11 - about

Verse 12

left of the poor: 2 Kings 24:14, Jeremiah 39:10, Jeremiah 40:7, Jeremiah 52:16, Ezekiel 33:24

Reciprocal: Ezra 5:12 - into the hand Proverbs 13:8 - the poor Ezekiel 5:3 - a few

Verse 13

the: 2 Kings 20:17, 2 Chronicles 36:18, Jeremiah 27:19-22, Jeremiah 52:17-20, Lamentations 1:10

pillars: Exodus 27:3, 1 Kings 7:15, 1 Kings 7:27, 2 Chronicles 4:12, 2 Chronicles 4:13

bases: 1 Kings 7:23-45, 2 Chronicles 4:2-6, 2 Chronicles 4:14-16

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 16:17 - sea 2 Kings 24:13 - and cut 2 Chronicles 4:19 - all the vessels 2 Chronicles 28:24 - cut in pieces Ezra 1:7 - Nebuchadnezzar Isaiah 27:9 - when Isaiah 39:6 - that all Jeremiah 17:3 - I will Jeremiah 20:5 - I will deliver Ezekiel 7:21 - General Joel 3:5 - ye

Verse 14

the pots: Exodus 27:3, Exodus 38:3, 1 Kings 7:47-50, 2 Chronicles 4:20-22, 2 Chronicles 24:14

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:38 - the tongs Numbers 4:12 - General Numbers 7:13 - charger Numbers 7:14 - spoon 1 Kings 7:40 - the lavers 2 Chronicles 4:22 - snuffers Ezra 6:5 - which Nebuchadnezzar Jeremiah 52:18 - caldrons

Verse 15

and such things: Exodus 37:23, Numbers 7:13, Numbers 7:14, 1 Kings 7:48-51, 2 Chronicles 24:14, Ezra 1:9-11, Daniel 5:2, Daniel 5:3

Reciprocal: Exodus 27:3 - firepans Numbers 4:12 - General 1 Kings 7:40 - the lavers 2 Kings 14:14 - all the gold Ezra 6:5 - which Nebuchadnezzar

Verse 16

one sea: Heb. the one sea

the brass: 1 Kings 7:47

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:15 - two pillars 1 Kings 7:27 - ten bases 1 Chronicles 22:14 - without weight Jeremiah 52:20 - without

Verse 17

one pillar: 1 Kings 7:15, 1 Kings 7:16, Jeremiah 52:21-23

Reciprocal: Exodus 28:14 - of wreathen Exodus 28:33 - pomegranates 1 Kings 7:17 - General 1 Kings 7:18 - General 1 Kings 7:20 - and the pomegranates Jeremiah 27:19 - the pillars

Verse 18

captain: 2 Kings 25:24, 2 Kings 25:25, 2 Kings 25:26

Seraiah: 1 Chronicles 6:14, Ezra 7:1, Jeremiah 52:24

Zephaniah: Jeremiah 21:1, Jeremiah 29:25, Jeremiah 29:29

the second priest: Called by the Jews, sagan, who officiated for the high priest in case of any temporary incapacity.

door: Heb. threshold

Reciprocal: Numbers 3:32 - General 2 Kings 12:9 - the priests 1 Chronicles 6:15 - when the Lord 1 Chronicles 9:11 - the ruler 1 Chronicles 12:27 - the leader 1 Chronicles 15:23 - General Nehemiah 9:32 - on our kings Isaiah 22:3 - thy rulers Jeremiah 20:1 - chief Jeremiah 21:7 - I will Jeremiah 32:2 - then Jeremiah 34:21 - Zedekiah Jeremiah 35:4 - the keeper Jeremiah 52:10 - he slew Lamentations 4:16 - they respected Ezekiel 11:7 - but

Verse 19

officer: or, eunuch.

were in the king's presence: Heb. saw the king's face, Esther 1:14

principal: or, scribe of the captain of the host

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 52:25 - an eunuch Ezekiel 11:10 - fall Zephaniah 1:8 - the princes

Verse 20

and brought: Jeremiah 52:26, Jeremiah 52:27, Lamentations 4:16

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 39:9 - Nebuzaradan

Verse 21

the king: These men were put to death as accessories to Zedekiah's rebellion; for the king of Babylon had no doubt found that they had counselled him to revolt.

So Judah: 2 Kings 17:20, 2 Kings 23:27, Leviticus 26:33-35, Deuteronomy 4:26, Deuteronomy 28:36, Deuteronomy 28:64, Jeremiah 24:9, Jeremiah 24:10, Jeremiah 25:9-11, Ezekiel 12:25-28, Ezekiel 24:14, Amos 5:27

Reciprocal: Joshua 23:13 - until ye perish 1 Kings 8:46 - unto the land 1 Kings 9:7 - will I cut 1 Chronicles 6:15 - when the Lord 1 Chronicles 13:5 - Hemath Isaiah 6:12 - the Lord Jeremiah 13:19 - Judah Jeremiah 17:4 - shalt Jeremiah 52:27 - the king Lamentations 1:3 - gone Zechariah 9:2 - Hamath

Verse 22

the people: Jeremiah 40:5, Jeremiah 40:6-12

Gedaliah: 2 Kings 25:25, Jeremiah 39:14, Jeremiah 41:2

Ahikam: 2 Kings 22:12, 2 Chronicles 34:20, Jeremiah 26:24

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 22:9 - Shaphan Jeremiah 36:11 - Shaphan Jeremiah 40:7 - all the Ezekiel 8:11 - Shaphan

Verse 23

And when: Jeremiah 40:7-9, Jeremiah 40:11, Jeremiah 40:12

Mizpah: There were several places of the name of Mizpah, or Mizpeh, and we do not certainly know which of them this was; but it is probable that it was that situated east of Jordan, in the mountains of Gilead - Genesis 31:49, and most contiguous to Babylon; and therefore the most proper for the residence of Gedaliah.

Reciprocal: Joshua 12:5 - unto the Judges 20:1 - in Mizpeh 1 Samuel 7:5 - Mizpeh 1 Chronicles 6:9 - Johanan Jeremiah 36:14 - Nethaniah Jeremiah 40:8 - even Jeremiah 42:1 - Jezaniah Ezekiel 11:1 - Jaazaniah Zechariah 7:5 - seventh

Verse 24

sware to them: 2 Samuel 14:11, 2 Samuel 19:23, Jeremiah 40:9, Jeremiah 40:10, Ezekiel 33:24-29

and it shall be: Jeremiah 40:9, Jeremiah 43:6

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 25:18 - captain

Verse 25

seventh: Zechariah 7:5, Zechariah 8:19

Ishmael: Jeremiah 40:15, Jeremiah 40:16, Jeremiah 41:1-15

royal: Heb. of the kingdom, 2 Kings 11:1

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:45 - break down 2 Kings 25:18 - captain 2 Kings 25:22 - Gedaliah 1 Chronicles 2:41 - Elishama Nehemiah 9:32 - on our kings Jeremiah 40:8 - even Jeremiah 41:2 - and smote Jeremiah 41:3 - General Jeremiah 41:15 - eight men Jeremiah 41:18 - for they Ezekiel 5:4 - take

Verse 26

Jeremiah 41:16-18, Jeremiah 42:14-22, Jeremiah 43:4-7

Reciprocal: Leviticus 14:45 - break down Joshua 23:13 - until ye perish 2 Kings 25:18 - captain Nehemiah 9:32 - on our kings Jeremiah 42:11 - afraid

Verse 27

am 3442, bc 562

it came to pass: Jeremiah 24:5, Jeremiah 24:6, Jeremiah 52:31-34

king of Babylon: Proverbs 21:1

lift up the head: Genesis 40:13, Genesis 40:20

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 24:12 - took him 2 Kings 25:8 - the nineteenth 1 Chronicles 3:16 - Jeconiah 2 Chronicles 36:10 - when the year was expired Psalms 3:3 - the Psalms 27:6 - And Ecclesiastes 4:14 - also Jeremiah 22:27 - to the Jeremiah 28:4 - Jeconiah Jeremiah 38:18 - if thou Ezekiel 21:26 - Remove Matthew 1:12 - Jechonias

Verse 28

kindly to him: Heb. good things with him

the throne: Jeremiah 27:6-11, Daniel 2:37, Daniel 5:18, Daniel 5:19

Verse 29

changed: 2 Kings 24:12, Genesis 41:14, Genesis 41:42, Esther 4:4, Esther 8:15, Isaiah 61:3, Zechariah 3:4, Luke 15:22

he did eat bread: 2 Samuel 9:7

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 9:10 - shall eat bread

Verse 30

a daily rate: Nehemiah 11:23, Nehemiah 12:47, Daniel 1:5, Matthew 6:11, Luke 11:3, Acts 6:1

all the days of his life: Genesis 48:15, Genesis 48:16

Reciprocal: Psalms 80:13 - The boar Proverbs 30:8 - convenient for me Jeremiah 50:17 - this Zechariah 1:18 - four