2 Kings 24:8-17
Chapter 24
Jeconiah of Judah (598-597)
Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he succeeded his father and reigned or three months in Jerusalem. His mother was Nehushta, daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.Jehoiachin mistreated the Lord, as his father had done.
At that time, the officials of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to attack Jerusalem, surrounding the city.
Nebuchadnezzar came while his men were besieging the city.
Jehoiachin, king of Judah, surrendered with his mother, servants, leaders, and palace officials. It was the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign.
Nebuchadnezzar carried off into exile all the leaders and prominent men, the blacksmiths and locksmiths, all the men of valor fit for war. A total of ten thousand were exiled to Babylon. Only the poorest sector of the population was left.
Nebuchadnezzar also carried Jehoiachin away with his mother, his wives, the palace ministers, and the prominent men of the land.
So the king of Babylon deported to Babylon all the prominent people, numbering seven thousand, the blacksmiths, numbering a thousand, and all the men fit for war.
He made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king of Jerusalem in place of Jehoiachin and changed his name to Zedekiah.
Commentaries
Jeconiah of Judah.
There is nothing left to do. Babylon now controls all lands west of the Euphrates, including Egypt. Judah, under Jeconiah’s rule, can only surrender to the invader, who takes the treasures of the Temple and all valuables in Jerusalem. To strengthen his hold, he also takes the king, his family, and the most important members of the ruling class. This begins the first of at least three selective deportations that Babylon will carry out.