And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah's eleventh year. And the cityThe "city" referred to here is Jerusalem, the heart of the Jewish nation and the center of their religious life. Jerusalem holds a significant place in biblical history as the city chosen by God to place His name there ( 1 Kings 11:36). Its walls and temple were symbols of God's presence and protection. The Hebrew word for city, "עִיר" (ir), often signifies not just a physical location but a community of people bound by covenant with God. The mention of the city here underscores the gravity of the events unfolding, as it was not just any city but the spiritual and political center of Judah. was kept under siege
The phrase "kept under siege" indicates a prolonged military blockade. The Hebrew root "צור" (tsur) means to bind or confine, reflecting the dire situation of Jerusalem. Historically, sieges were brutal, leading to famine, disease, and despair. This siege by the Babylonians, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, was a fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by Jeremiah and other prophets about the consequences of Judah's persistent disobedience and idolatry (Jeremiah 21:10). The siege represents God's judgment but also His faithfulness to His word, as He had repeatedly warned His people of the consequences of their actions. until the eleventh year
The "eleventh year" marks a specific time frame, emphasizing the duration and intensity of the siege. In the Hebrew calendar, this would be around 586 BC, a pivotal year in Jewish history. The specificity of the timing highlights the precision of God's prophetic word and His control over historical events. It serves as a reminder that while God's judgment may seem delayed, it is certain and occurs in His perfect timing. of King Zedekiah
King Zedekiah was the last king of Judah, appointed by Nebuchadnezzar as a vassal king. His reign is marked by rebellion against Babylon and a failure to heed the prophetic counsel of Jeremiah. The name "Zedekiah" means "Yahweh is righteousness," which is ironic given his actions that led to the downfall of Jerusalem. His reign and its tragic end serve as a sobering reminder of the consequences of forsaking God's covenant and the importance of righteous leadership. Zedekiah's account is a testament to the need for humility and obedience to God's will, even in the face of political pressure and personal ambition. Persons / Places / Events 1. King ZedekiahThe last king of Judah, who reigned from 597 to 586 BC. He was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, but later rebelled against him. 2. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, which was under siege by the Babylonian army. This event marks the beginning of the end for the kingdom of Judah. 3. Babylonian SiegeThe military blockade and assault led by Nebuchadnezzar's forces against Jerusalem, which lasted approximately two years, culminating in the city's fall. 4. NebuchadnezzarThe king of Babylon, who orchestrated the siege and eventual destruction of Jerusalem as a consequence of Judah's rebellion. 5. Eleventh Year of ZedekiahThe specific time frame marking the end of the siege and the fall of Jerusalem, leading to the Babylonian exile. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceThe siege of Jerusalem serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon was also a rebellion against God's prophetic warnings. The Sovereignty of God in JudgmentDespite the dire circumstances, the siege and fall of Jerusalem were under God's sovereign control, fulfilling His word through the prophets. This teaches us to trust in God's ultimate plan, even in times of judgment. The Importance of Heeding Prophetic WarningsThe events leading to the siege were foretold by prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel. This underscores the importance of listening to God's messengers and aligning our lives with His will. Endurance in Times of TrialThe prolonged siege tested the endurance and faith of Jerusalem's inhabitants. In our lives, we are called to remain steadfast in faith, even when facing prolonged trials. Hope Beyond JudgmentWhile 2 Kings 25:2 marks a moment of judgment, it also sets the stage for eventual restoration. God's discipline is always coupled with His promise of redemption for those who turn back to Him. Bible Study Questions 1. What were the key factors that led to the siege of Jerusalem, and how can we apply these lessons to avoid spiritual rebellion in our own lives? 2. How does the account of the siege in 2 Kings 25:2 relate to the prophetic warnings given by Jeremiah and Ezekiel? What does this teach us about the role of prophecy in the Bible? 3. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work during the siege of Jerusalem, and how can this understanding impact our trust in God during difficult times? 4. How can the endurance of Jerusalem's inhabitants during the siege inspire us to remain faithful in our own trials and challenges? 5. Reflect on the hope of restoration that follows judgment in the biblical account. How can this hope encourage us to seek God's forgiveness and renewal in our lives today? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 39:1-2Provides a parallel account of the siege of Jerusalem, emphasizing the fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by Jeremiah. Ezekiel 24:1-2Offers a prophetic perspective on the siege, symbolizing the judgment of God upon Jerusalem for its disobedience. 2 Chronicles 36:11-21Chronicles the reign of Zedekiah and the events leading to the Babylonian captivity, highlighting the spiritual and moral decline of Judah. People Ahikam, Babylonians, Careah, Elishama, Evilmerodach, Gedaliah, Ishmael, Jaazaniah, Jehoiachin, Johanan, Kareah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan, Nethaniah, Seraiah, Shaphan, Solomon, Tanhumeth, Zedekiah, ZephaniahPlaces Arabah, Babylon, Egypt, Hamath, Jericho, Jerusalem, Mizpah, RiblahTopics Besieged, Eleventh, Entereth, Forces, Shut, Siege, Till, Town, Zedekiah, Zedeki'ahDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 25:2 5418 monotony 2 Kings 25:1-3 4823 famine, physical 2 Kings 25:1-4 5256 city 2 Kings 25:1-7 1429 prophecy, OT fulfilment 2 Kings 25:1-11 5529 sieges 2 Kings 25:1-12 7245 Judah, kingdom of 2 Kings 25:1-21 4215 Babylon
7217 exile, in Babylon 2 Kings 25:2-3 6702 peace, destruction Library The End
'1. And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about. 2. And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. 3. And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land. 4. And the city was broken up, and all the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Last Agony
'In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. 2. And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up. 3. And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarse-chim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture 'As Sodom'
'Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2. And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3. For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4. And it came to pass, in the ninth year of his reign, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica How those who Use Food Intemperately and those who Use it Sparingly are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 20.) Differently to be admonished are the gluttonous and the abstinent. For superfluity of speech, levity of conduct, and lechery accompany the former; but the latter often the sin of impatience, and often that of pride. For were it not the case that immoderate loquacity carries away the gluttonous, that rich man who is said to have fared sumptuously every day would not burn more sorely than elsewhere in his tongue, saying, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 25:2 NIV2 Kings 25:2 NLT2 Kings 25:2 ESV2 Kings 25:2 NASB2 Kings 25:2 KJV
2 Kings 25:2 Commentaries
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