2 Kings

2 Kings 24: Babylon comes against Judah

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and the kings of Babylon, let us turn to the Lord together. Ask Him to teach us to take His warnings seriously, and to show us Jesus, who suffered for His people.

I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.

Psalm 119:45

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You sent judgment as You had said through Your servants. Help us to hear Your warnings and to trust Jesus, who suffered for His people. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Jehoiakim serves Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon for three years, and then he rebels against him. The LORD sends bands of Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites against Judah, as He had said through His servants the prophets. This came for the sins of Manasseh and the innocent blood he shed. Jehoiakim dies, and his son Jehoiachin reigns three months and does evil. Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem, and Jehoiachin goes out to him, and the king of Babylon takes him captive. The treasures of the LORD's house and the king's house are carried away, and Nebuchadnezzar makes Zedekiah king. Zedekiah does evil and rebels, and the LORD casts Judah out of His presence.

As you read 2 Kings 24, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD sent raiders against Judah, as He had said through His servants the prophets.

Babylon had become the great power, and Jehoiakim served Nebuchadnezzar three years and then rebelled (verses 1 and 7). The LORD sent bands of Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites and Ammonites against Judah (verse 2). This was according to His word spoken by His servants the prophets (verse 2). It came at the LORD's commandment, for Manasseh's sins and the innocent blood he shed (verses 3 and 4). The LORD would not pardon the innocent blood that filled Jerusalem (verse 4). Jehoiachin reigned three months, did evil, and was taken captive to Babylon (verses 8 to 15). Nebuchadnezzar took the treasures of the LORD's house, as the LORD had said (verse 13). He made Zedekiah king, and Zedekiah did evil and rebelled against Babylon (verses 17 to 20). This shows that the LORD's word through the prophets came true.

How does 2 Kings 24 show us that the LORD sent raiders against Judah, as He had said through His servants the prophets?

The LORD sends judgment as He said.

The LORD sent bands of raiders against Judah, as He had said through His servants the prophets (verse 2). The judgment came at His commandment (verse 3). The LORD does what He says, and no army can stop His word.

Sin brings sorrow, and the LORD judges it.

Judah had sinned under Manasseh, and the innocent blood he shed filled Jerusalem (verses 3 and 4). Jehoiachin and Zedekiah also did evil in the LORD's sight (verses 9 and 19). Parents, you may want to explain verses 10 to 17 in your own words, without details. Jesus suffered outside the gate to make His people holy by His own blood (Hebrews 13 verse 12).

The LORD's house is emptied and the people are taken away.

Nebuchadnezzar carried out all the treasures of the LORD's house (verse 13). He carried away Jerusalem's princes, mighty men and craftsmen, and only the poorest were left (verse 14). Jehoiachin and his officers were taken to Babylon (verse 15). The king of Babylon made Zedekiah king in Jehoiachin's place (verse 17).

Memorise

Surely at the commandment of Yahweh this came on Judah, to remove them out of his sight

2 Kings 24:3

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I believe the LORD's warnings, and will I come to Jesus?

Judah rebelled against Babylon, and the LORD sent raiders, as He had said through His prophets. Jehoiachin and Zedekiah did evil, and the city fell. Jesus is the faithful Son of David, and He never rebelled against His Father.

Sin brings judgment, and every person is guilty before God. Jesus died outside Jerusalem's gate in His people's place. Nothing more needs to be added to what He did there. God raised Him on the third day.

So come to Him, turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus, the King who saves. Forgiveness is given to everyone who trusts Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD sent raiders as He had said, and that Jesus suffered outside the gate for His people. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Parents, you may want to explain verses 10 to 17 in your own words, without details. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His warnings are true, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.

Psalm 119:144

Father, thank You that Your word is righteous forever. Thank You for Jesus, who suffered outside the gate for His people and rose again. Bring each child to turn from sin and rest in Jesus. Help us to take Your warnings seriously this week. Amen.