2 Kings

2 Kings 25: Jehoiachin is lifted up

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the fall of Jerusalem, let us come before the Lord together. Ask Him to hold our hearts when everything around us falls, and to show us Jesus, the Son of David who reigns forever.

My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.

Psalm 119:81

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Jerusalem fell as You had said, and that a son of David was lifted out of prison. Help us to hope in Your word and to trust Jesus, the Son of David. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem for a long time, and the famine becomes severe in the city. The Chaldeans break through the walls, and they overtake King Zedekiah and carry him to Babylon. Nebuzaradan burns the house of the LORD, the king's house, and the houses of Jerusalem, and the army breaks down the walls. The bronze pillars and vessels of the LORD's house are carried away to Babylon. Gedaliah is made governor, but Ishmael kills him, and the people flee to Egypt. In the thirty-seventh year of the captivity, Evil-merodach king of Babylon lifts Jehoiachin out of prison. He speaks kindly to him and gives him a daily allowance.

As you read 2 Kings 25, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

Jerusalem fell as the LORD had said, yet a son of David was lifted out of prison.

Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah, and the famine grew severe (verses 1 to 3). The Chaldeans broke into the city, caught King Zedekiah, and took him to Babylon (verses 4 to 7). Then the captain of the guard burned the LORD's house and the houses of Jerusalem (verse 9). The people who were left were carried away, and only the poorest stayed to work the land (verses 11 and 12). This was the judgment the LORD had spoken by His servants the prophets (2 Kings 24 verse 2). In the thirty-seventh year of his captivity, Jehoiachin was lifted out of prison by the king of Babylon (verse 27). The king spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the other kings (verse 28). The text does not say the LORD did this, yet He had promised David a lamp always (2 Kings 8 verse 19). Jesus is the Son of David, and of His kingdom there will be no end (Luke 1 verse 33).

How does 2 Kings 25 show us that Jerusalem fell as the LORD had said, yet a son of David was lifted out of prison?

The LORD let Jerusalem fall, as He had said.

The famine became severe, and the walls were broken down (verses 1 to 4). The house of the LORD and the city were burned (verse 9). This came as the LORD had said (2 Kings 24 verses 2 and 3). Parents, you may want to explain verses 3 to 7 in your own words, without details.

A son of David is lifted out of prison.

In the thirty-seventh year of his captivity, the king of Babylon lifted Jehoiachin out of prison (verse 27). He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the other kings in Babylon (verse 28). Jehoiachin ate bread before the king all his life (verses 29 and 30). The text does not say the LORD did this, but He had promised David a lamp always (2 Kings 8 verse 19). Jesus is the Son of David, and His kingdom will have no end (Luke 1 verses 32 and 33).

Judah is carried away from its land.

The Chaldeans broke up the bronze pillars of the LORD's house and carried the brass to Babylon (verse 13). The people who were left were carried away, and only the poorest stayed to work the fields (verses 11 and 12). The writer says, “So Judah was carried away captive out of his land” (verse 21).

Memorise

he spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon

2 Kings 25:28

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, when everything falls around me, will I trust the LORD and come to Jesus?

Jerusalem fell, the house of the LORD was burned, and the people were carried away. Yet a son of David was lifted out of prison, and Jehoiachin ate bread before the king all his life. Jesus is the Son of David, and His kingdom will never end (Luke 1 verse 33).

Sin brings the ruin of every city and every heart, and no king can rebuild what sin has broken. Jesus died on the cross in His people's place, and nothing is left for them to pay. He rose from the dead, and He reigns at the right hand of God, in a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

So come to Him, turn from your sin, and trust Jesus, the Son of David. Everyone who comes to Him receives forgiveness.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jerusalem fell as the LORD said, and that the king of Babylon spoke kindly to Jehoiachin. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Parents, please explain verses 3 to 7 and 25 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 word came true, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Psalm 119:116

Father, thank You that You keep Your promises, even when Jerusalem falls. Thank You for Jesus, the Son of David, who reigns forever and died for sinners. Give every child grace to turn from sin and rest in Jesus. Uphold us according to Your word this week, and keep our hope in You. Amen.