Of those still in the city, he took a court official who had been appointed over the men of war, as well as five royal advisors. He also took the scribe of the captain of the army, who had enlisted the people of the land, and sixty men who were found in the city. Of those still in the cityThis phrase refers to the remnant left in Jerusalem after the Babylonian conquest. The city had been under siege, leading to famine and destruction. The "city" here is Jerusalem, the center of Jewish worship and governance, which had been devastated by Nebuchadnezzar's forces. This remnant represents those who survived the initial onslaught and were still present in the city, highlighting the dire situation and the few who remained. he took a court official who had been appointed over the men of war
The "court official" likely held a significant position within the Judean administration, possibly a high-ranking military officer or advisor. This reflects the Babylonian strategy of removing key leaders to prevent any organized resistance. The "men of war" indicates the military forces of Judah, which had been decimated by the siege. This removal of leadership was a common practice to destabilize conquered regions. as well as five royal advisors
These "royal advisors" were likely part of King Zedekiah's inner circle, providing counsel on matters of state and governance. Their capture signifies the dismantling of the Judean leadership structure. The number five may symbolize completeness or totality, indicating that the entire advisory body was taken, leaving the nation leaderless. He also took the scribe of the captain of the army
The "scribe" was an important administrative figure responsible for record-keeping and communication within the military. This role was crucial for maintaining order and executing military strategies. By capturing the scribe, the Babylonians aimed to disrupt any remaining military organization. The "captain of the army" refers to the chief military leader, whose scribe would have been integral to his operations. who had enlisted the people of the land
This phrase suggests that the scribe was involved in conscripting or organizing the local population for military service. "The people of the land" refers to the common inhabitants of Judah, who were likely called upon to defend the city during the siege. This enlistment underscores the desperate measures taken by Judah in its final defense efforts. and sixty men who were found in the city
The "sixty men" represent a specific group of individuals who were captured alongside the officials and advisors. The number sixty may have symbolic significance, possibly indicating a complete or significant portion of the remaining population. These men could have been leaders, warriors, or influential figures within the community, whose capture further weakened any potential for resistance or rebellion against Babylonian rule. Persons / Places / Events 1. Court OfficialA high-ranking officer in the royal court, likely responsible for military or administrative duties. 2. Five Royal AdvisorsThese were likely counselors to the king, providing guidance and strategic advice. 3. Secretary to the Commander of the ArmyThis individual would have been responsible for military communications and record-keeping. 4. Sixty Men of the LandThese were likely influential or notable men within the city, possibly leaders or elders. 5. The CityRefers to Jerusalem, which was under siege and eventually captured by the Babylonians. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceThe capture and deportation of Jerusalem's leaders illustrate the severe consequences of Israel's disobedience to God. This serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience in our own lives. Leadership in CrisisThe removal of key leaders from Jerusalem highlights the vulnerability of a nation without strong, godly leadership. It challenges us to pray for and support our leaders, especially in times of crisis. God's Sovereignty in JudgmentDespite the tragic events, God's sovereignty is evident. He uses even foreign nations to accomplish His purposes, reminding us that He is in control, even in difficult circumstances. The Importance of RepentanceThe fall of Jerusalem underscores the need for genuine repentance. It encourages us to examine our hearts and turn back to God before facing severe consequences. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the capture of Jerusalem's leaders in 2 Kings 25:19 reflect the broader theme of judgment in the book of Kings? 2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in the events described in 2 Kings 25:19? 3. How does the removal of Jerusalem's leaders challenge us to consider the importance of godly leadership in our communities today? 4. What lessons can we learn from the consequences faced by Jerusalem that apply to our personal walk with God? 5. How do the events of 2 Kings 25:19 connect with the broader account of Israel's exile and eventual return, and what hope does this offer us today? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 52:25This passage parallels 2 Kings 25:19, providing additional details about the capture of Jerusalem and the people taken by the Babylonians. 2 Kings 24:14-16Describes the earlier deportation of the elite and skilled individuals from Jerusalem, setting the stage for the events in 2 Kings 25:19. Daniel 1:3-4Highlights the Babylonian practice of taking the best and brightest from conquered lands, similar to the individuals mentioned in 2 Kings 25:19. People Ahikam, Babylonians, Careah, Elishama, Evilmerodach, Gedaliah, Ishmael, Jaazaniah, Jehoiachin, Johanan, Kareah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan, Nethaniah, Seraiah, Shaphan, Solomon, Tanhumeth, Zedekiah, ZephaniahPlaces Arabah, Babylon, Egypt, Hamath, Jericho, Jerusalem, Mizpah, RiblahTopics Advisers, Appointed, Army, Captain, Chamberlain, Charge, Chief, Command, Commander, Conscripting, Council, Enrolled, Eunuch, Face, Fighting, Friends, Getting, Host, King's, Military, Mustered, Mustereth, Officer, Official, Order, Overseer, Presence, Principal, Responsible, Royal, Scribe, Secretary, Seeing, Servant, Sixty, Threescore, Town, Unsexed, WarDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 25:19 5266 conscription
5514 scribes
5519 secretary 2 Kings 25:1-21 4215 Babylon
7217 exile, in Babylon Library The End
'1. And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about. 2. And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. 3. And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land. 4. And the city was broken up, and all the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Last Agony
'In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. 2. And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up. 3. And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarse-chim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture 'As Sodom'
'Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2. And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3. For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4. And it came to pass, in the ninth year of his reign, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica How those who Use Food Intemperately and those who Use it Sparingly are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 20.) Differently to be admonished are the gluttonous and the abstinent. For superfluity of speech, levity of conduct, and lechery accompany the former; but the latter often the sin of impatience, and often that of pride. For were it not the case that immoderate loquacity carries away the gluttonous, that rich man who is said to have fared sumptuously every day would not burn more sorely than elsewhere in his tongue, saying, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 25:19 NIV2 Kings 25:19 NLT2 Kings 25:19 ESV2 Kings 25:19 NASB2 Kings 25:19 KJV
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