2 Kings 24
CHAPTER 24
2 Kings 24:1-7 . JEHOIAKIM PROCURES HIS OWN RUIN.
1, 2. Nebuchadnezzar--the son of Nabopolassar, the founder of the Chaldee monarchy. This invasion took place in the fourth year of Jehoiakim's, and the first of Nebuchadnezzar's reign ( Jeremiah 25:1 ; compare Jeremiah 46:2 ). The young king of Assyria being probably detained at home on account of his father's demise, despatched, along with the Chaldean troops on his border, an army composed of the tributary nations that were contiguous to Judea, to chastise Jehoiakim's revolt from his yoke. But this hostile band was only an instrument in executing the divine judgment ( 2 Kings 24:2 ) denounced by the prophets against Judah for the sins of the people; and hence, though marching by the orders of the Assyrian monarch, they are described as sent by the Lord ( 2 Kings 24:3 ).
4. the Lord would not Jeremiah 15:1 ).
6. Jehoiakim slept with his fathers--This phraseology can mean nothing more than that he died; for he was not buried with his royal ancestors; and whether he fell in battle, or his body was subjected to posthumous insults, he was, according to the prediction ( Jeremiah 22:19 ), not honored with the rites of sepulture ( Jeremiah 36:30 ).
Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead--The very brief reign of this prince, which lasted only three months, during which he was a humble vassal of the Assyrians, is scarcely deserving to be taken into account, and therefore is in no way contradictory to the prophetic menace denounced against his father ( Jeremiah 36:30 ).
7. the king of Egypt--that is, Pharaoh-nechoh.
2 Kings 24:8 2 Kings 24:9 . JEHOIACHIN SUCCEEDS HIM.
8. Jehoiachin--that is, "God-appointed," contracted into Jeconiah and Coniah ( Jeremiah 22:24 ).
eighteen years old when he began to reign--At the age of eight his father took him into partnership in the government ( 2 Chronicles 36:9 ). He began to reign alone at eighteen.
9. he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord--Untaught by experience, and deaf to the prophetic warnings, he pursued the evil courses which had brought so many disasters upon the royal family as well as the people of Judah. This bad character is figuratively but strongly depicted ( Ezekiel 19:5-7 ).
2 Kings 24:10-16 . JERUSALEM TAKEN.