April 10, 2025, 2 Kings 24:8-17

April 10, 2025, 2 Kings 24:8-17

8  Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.  9  And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done. 10  At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.  11  And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it,  12  and Jehoiachin the king of Judah gave himself up to the king of Babylon, himself and his mother and his servants and his officials and his palace officials. The king of Babylon took him prisoner in the eighth year of his reign  13  and carried off all the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold in the temple of the LORD, which Solomon king of Israel had made, as the LORD had foretold.  14  He carried away all Jerusalem and all the officials and all the mighty men of valor, 10,000 captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. None remained, except the poorest people of the land.  15  And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon. The king’s mother, the king’s wives, his officials, and the chief men of the land he took into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.  16  And the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon all the men of valor, 7,000, and the craftsmen and the metal workers, 1,000, all of them strong and fit for war.  17  And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah.

 

These verses share how the Babylonian’s defeat of Judah lead to the deportation of its leaders, including King Jehoiachin, as the result of the kingdom’s disobedience and wickedness.

 

God keeps His promises.  How often do we make promises?  Before making promises, carefully consider whether you can fulfill your promise.  Just as God keeps his promises, whether good or bad, He expects us to keep our promises.   

 

Robin Adams