FocusDestruction and a final note of favor
2 Kings 25:5
KJVAnd the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Babylon's conquest ends the kingdom's rule in Jerusalem; the closing notice concerning Jehoiachin leaves the reader beyond the destruction itself.
- 25:1 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.
- 25:2 And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.
- 25:3 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.
- 25:4 And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain.
- 25:5 And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him.
- 25:6 So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him.
- 25:7 And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Jeremiah is the traditional Jewish attribution to Kings. The completed work incorporates records of Israel and Judah and events during exile; its final compiler is uncertain. Biblical references: 2 Kings 15:11; 2 Kings 25:27. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Kings 24:1–25:30): Judah's kings, officials, inhabitants, Babylonian rulers and soldiers, and the surviving community are involved in Jerusalem's fall and its aftermath. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The Israelite and Judean community in and after the exile, reflecting on why both kingdoms fell and what remained of the Davidic line. Biblical references: 2 Kings 17:7; 2 Kings 23:27; 2 Kings 25:27. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem. Read 2 Kings 25:1 through 2 Kings 25:7 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Babylon's conquest ends the kingdom's rule in Jerusalem; the closing notice concerning Jehoiachin leaves the reader beyond the destruction itself. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book continues the divided-kingdom histories through Assyria's conquest of Israel and Babylon's conquest of Judah, ending with a notice concerning Jehoiachin. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Israel and Judah, including Samaria and Jerusalem, and ends with exile in Babylon. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:1 to 2 Kings 25:7). Start reading at 2 Kings 25:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus cites the cleansing of Naaman in His discourse at Nazareth. This supplies a specific connection to the book's prophetic narratives and challenges assumptions about privilege. See 2 Kings 5:14, Luke 4:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Hear warnings before repeated refusal hardens into habit. Reform, repentance, and faithfulness should be assessed from the narrated response to God's word, not merely a ruler's reputation. interpretation
Cited: 2 Kings 25:1, 2 Kings 25:7, 2 Kings 5:14, Luke 4:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Other accounts of this event
The fall of Jerusalem and destruction of the temple
Parallel accounts
Related passages
- and overtook Isa 30:16 Jer 24:8 Amos 2:14-16
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings 25
2 Kings 17:7 2 Kings 23:27 2 Kings 25:27
The Temple Destroyed
2 Kings 25:8–17FocusDestruction and a final note of favor
Captives Carried to Babylon
2 Kings 25:18–21FocusDestruction and a final note of favor
Gedaliah Governs in Judah
2 Kings 25:22–24FocusDestruction and a final note of favor
The Murder of Gedaliah
2 Kings 25:25–26FocusDestruction and a final note of favor
Jehoiachin Released from Prison
2 Kings 25:27–30FocusDestruction and a final note of favor
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings
2 Kings 17:7 2 Kings 23:27 2 Kings 25:27
Elijah's departure and Elisha's ministry
2 Kings 1:1–8:15FocusThe prophetic word continues
The kingdoms and Israel's fall
2 Kings 8:16–17:41FocusRoyal succession, reform, and persistent sin
Judah before its fall
2 Kings 18:1–23:30FocusHezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah
FocusDestruction and a final note of favor
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.