2 Kings 23:31-36, 24:1-20, 25:1-30
Map highlights:
kings of Judah: Jehoahaz (three months)-evil; Eliakim/Jehoiakim (11 years)-evil; Jehoiachin (three months)-evil; Zekediah, Jehoiachin’s uncle (11 years); the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah as governor
Pharoah of Egypt: Neco
King of Babylon: King Nebuchadnezzar, Evil-Merodach.
The LORD sent Babylonian, Aramean…to destroy Judah..to remove them from his presence…sins of Manasseh…innocent blood…the LORD was not willing to forgive vs 2-4;… Nebuchadnezzar removed all the treasures from the temple of the LORD..carried into exile all Jerusalem…men…took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon……Neb..made Mattaniah..king…changed his name to Zedekiah;…because of the LORD’S anger..thrust them from his presence vs 20;..Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon; Neb encamped outside the city..;..set fire to the temple of the LORD, the royal place and all houses of Jerusalem vs 9.
Evil-Merodach released Jehoiachin king of Judah..spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honour..rest of his life ate regularly at the king’s table. (vs 29)-God’s grace to him. From him comes the line of Jesus, the Messiah.
King Jehoiachin is also known as Jeconiah mentioned in Matthew 1:12.