2 Kings 23:30-37 & 24:1-20
Q.1. What kind of kings reigned after Josiah? What indignity did God heap on Judah through Egypt? – (2 Kgs.23:30-37)
Both Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim reversed the policies of Josiah and – did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that their fathers had done (2 Kgs.23:32 & 37). God had brought Israel out of bondage in Egypt. Initially they had plundered the Egyptians. Here, Pharaoh Neco stripped Judah of much of their wealth, and placed them under bondage again (2 Kgs.23:35). Eliakim meant ‘God rises’ and the king of Egypt gave him the flattering Hebrew name Jehoiakim – ‘Raised by Jehovah’ (2 Kgs.23:34).
Q.2. Why did God allow Judah to be invaded by Babylon? What happened to the people of Judah and their kings? Why? – (2 Kgs.24:1-20)
Judah had consistently persecuted the prophets and had rejected their warnings from God. However, His message through the prophets prevailed, as the surrounding nation and the Babylonian Empire destroyed the people and the land (2 Kgs.24:2-3). What eventually forced God’s hand, was the evil of Manasseh – 3 … according to all that he had done, 4 and also for the innocent blood which he shed, for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; and the Lord would not forgive (2 Kgs.24:3-4). Jehoiachin followed in the wicked ways of his father, but his reign only survived for three months (2 Kgs.24:6, 8-9). He was defeated and taken captive to Babylon. The treasuries of the house of the Lord, and of the king’s house were all plundered. All the significant people were taken into exile in Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. (2 Kgs.24:10-16). He then appointed Jehoiachin’s uncle, Mattaniah as king over those remaining in Judah, and changed his name to Zedekiah – For through the anger of the Lord this came about in Jerusalem and Judah until He cast them out from His presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon (2 Kgs.24:20).