College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
2 Kings 24 - Introduction
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
THE DYING DAYS OF JUDAH
2 Kings 23:28 to 2 Kings 25:30
The twenty-three years following the death of Josiah were the dying time of the kingdom of Judah. These were tragic days when petty politicians repeated foolish mistakes which drug the nation down to oblivion. In spite of the heroic preaching of Jeremiah, the nation sunk ever deeper into apostasy and rebellion. The final scenes unfold like those in a Shakespearian tragedy: (1) the death and burial of Josiah (2 Kings 23:28-30); (2) the reign and removal of Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:31-35); (3) the reign and rebellion of Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:36 to 2 Kings 24:7); (4) the reign and deportation of Jehoiachin (2 Kings 24:8-17); (5) the revolt and punishment of Zedekiah (2 Kings 24:18 to 2 Kings 25:7); and (6) the aftermath of the fall of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:8-30).
REVIEW OF CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
I. FACTS TO MASTER
A. Names of Importance:
1. Necho
8. Mattaniah
15. Ishmael
2. Josiah
9. Zedekiah
16. Johanan
3. Jehoahaz
10. Jeremiah
17. Jaazaniah
4. Eliakim
11. Nebuzaradan
18. Evil- Merodach
5. Jehoiakim
12. Seraiah
6. Nebuchadnezzar
13. Zephaniah
7. Jehoiachin
14. Gedaliah
B. Places of Importance:
1. Euphrates
5. Babylon
2. Megiddo
6. Plains of Jericho
3. Riblah
7. Mizpah
4. Egypt
8. Brook of Egypt
C. Important Dates and Numbers
1.605 B.C.
4. 582 B.C.
2. 597 B.C.
5. 10,000
3. 587 B.C.
6. three years
II. QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1.
Why did Pharaoh Necho march north through Palestine in 609 B.C.? Why did Josiah attempt to withstand Necho at Megiddo?
2.
When Josiah was killed, why did the people of the land bypass the heir apparent (Eliakim) and make Jehoahaz king?
3.
List the events in the Book of Jeremiah which transpired during the reign of Jehoiakim. (See Jeremiah volume, in Bible Study Textbook Series, pp. 73-74.)
4.
Evaluate the character of Jehoiakim.
5.
How did Jehoiakim meet his death? What happened to his corpse?
6.
What problem exists as to the age of Jehoiachin when he assumed the throne? How is the problem solved?
7.
What archaeological finds shed light on the reign and captivity of Jehoiachin?
8.
How many different Chaldean campaigns against Judah can be documented? On which of these were Jews carried away to Babylon?
9.
How long did the final siege of Jerusalem last? What additional information about the siege can be gleaned from sources outside the Book of Kings?
10.
What tragic fate befell Zedekiah? What lessons are underscored by his fate?
11.
Why was Gedaliah selected to govern Judah after the fall of Jerusalem? Evaluate his administration.
12.
Why was the remnant of Jews so determined to emigrate to Egypt after the assassination of Gedaliah? What advice did Jeremiah give them? What warning?
13.
Why did the author of Kings choose to close his book with the account of the release of Jehoiachin?
DEPORTATIONS TO BABYLON
Date
References
Numbers
Notes
605
Daniel and his three friends taken
597
2 Kings 24:13-16
Jeremiah 52:28
Ezekiel 1:2
2 Chronicles 36:10 a
10,000 3,023
Ezekiel taken
587
832
Zedekiah blinded, taken captive
582
745