Bible Commentaries
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible
2 Kings 25
2 KINGS CHAPTER 25
Jerusalem is besieged: Zedekiah taken; his sons slain; and his eyes put out, 2 Kings 25:1-7. Nebuzar-adan burneth Jerusalem and the temple; breaketh down the wall of the city; carrieth the remnant, except a few poor labourers, into captivity, and much treasure, 2 Kings 25:8-17; slayeth the nobles at Riblah, 2 Kings 25:18-21. Gedaliah is made governor of Judah: he is slain: the rest flee into Egypt, 2 Kings 25:22-26. Evil-merodach advanceth Jehoiachin in his court, 2 Kings 25:27-30.
To chastise Zedekiah for his rebellion and perjury, 2 Chronicles 36:13. They built forts against it round about; partly to keep all supplies of men or provisions from entering into the city; and partly that from thence they might shoot darts, or arrows, or stones into the city. See Jeremiah 52:4 Ezekiel 4:2 17:17.
The fourth month; which word is easily understood, by comparing this and the first verse, and Jeremiah 39:2 52:6, where it is expressed.
For the people of the land, i.e. for the common sort of people, who flocked thither from all parts, upon the approach of the Babylonian army; but only for the great men and soldiers. See of the grievousness of this famine, Lamentations 4:10 Ezekiel 5:10,12.
The city was broken up by the Chaldeans, who broke and entered the gate, Jeremiah 39:3.
The men of war fled; which word is fitly supplied out of the parallel place, Jeremiah 39:4, or out of the following verb, went away.
Between two walls; between the outward and inward wall of the city, by a private way, having the advantage of the darkness of the night, and possibly of some vault under the ground. The king: this word also is necessarily to be understood; partly by its singular, which agrees not with the men of war; and partly out of the next verse, where it is expressed.
Toward the plain of Jericho, as it follows.
To Riblah; of which See Poole "2 Kings 23:33", and See Poole "2 Kings 25:21", where Nebuchadnezzar staid, that he might both supply the besiegers with more men, and military provisions, as their occasions required; and have an eye to Chaldea, to prevent or suppress any commotions which might happen there in the time of his absence.
They gave judgement upon him; the king’s officers appointed thereunto examined his cause, and passed the following sentence against him.
Thus two prophecies were fulfilled, which seemed contrary one to the other, that he should go to Babylon, Jeremiah 32:5 34:3, and that he should never see Babylon; which seeming contradiction, because Zedekiah the false prophet could not reconcile, he concluded both were false, and that Jeremiah was a false prophet; and it seems Zedekiah the king might stumble at this difficulty.
On the seventh day of the month.
Quest. How doth this agree with Jeremiah 52:12, where he is said to come thither on the tenth day?
Answ. Either he came to Jerusalem on the seventh day, and burnt the temple on the tenth day; or this sacred writer speaks of the day of his departure from Riblah towards Jerusalem, and Jeremiah speaks of his coming to Jerusalem, which was about three days’ journey from Riblah.
The people that were left in the city, whom neither the sword nor famine had destroyed, who were eight hundred and thirty-two persons, Jeremiah 52:29, being members and traders of that city; for it is likely that there were very many more of the country people who were fled thither, who were left with others of their brethren to manure the land, as it here follows.
The remnant of the multitude, to wit, of the inhabitants of the country.
Seraiah the chief priest; the high priest, grandson of that Hilkiah, of whom 2 Kings 22:4, and father of Jehozadak, who, as it seems, was taken with his father; and when his father was slain, 2 Kings 25:21, he was carried away to Babylon, as it is noted, 1 Chronicles 6:14,15.
Zephaniah the second priest; who was the high priest’s deputy, when he was hindered from the execution of his office: See Poole "Numbers 3:32"; See Poole "2Sa 8:17" 2 Kings 23:4???.
Of them that were in the king’s presence, i.e. of them who constantly attended upon the king’s person: see 1 Kings 10:8 Esther 1:14.
Object. These were seven, Jeremiah 52:25.
Answ. Either five were first taken, and two after them; or two of the seven were of an inferior rank, who therefore are here omitted.
Threescore men of the people of the land; who had been most forward or active in the rebellion.
The captains of the armies, which escaped away when Zedekiah was taken. See Poole "2 Kings 25:4", See Poole "2 Kings 25:5".
Sware to them, and to their men; assured them by his promise and oath, that they, doing what he required, should be kept from the evils which they feared. This he might safely swear, because he had not only the king of Babylon’s promise and interest too, but also God’s promise, for their indemnity, delivered by Jeremiah.
The seed royal; and therefore moved with envy, to see so mean a person advanced into their place. See this history more fully described, Jer 41.
Ten men, to wit, ten captains or officers, and under each of them many soldiers; otherwise the attempt was ridiculous.
On the seven and twentieth day; or, on the twenty-fifth day, as it is Jeremiah 52:31; for then the decree was made, which was executed upon the twenty-seventh day.
It seems, though the power of these kings was taken away, yet some honour and respect was given to them, even in the place of their captivity, and to Jehoiachin more than to any of the rest.
i.e. In his presence, and at his table, the following allowance being given to him for the maintenance of his family and royal dignity. Compare 2 Samuel 9:10.
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