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2 Kings 24:19
King James Version (KJV)
Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary
Bible Commentary
He did - evil - How astonishing is this! not one of them takes warning by the judgments of God, which fell on their sinful predecessors.
Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible
Notes on the Whole Bible
He did that which was evil - The character of Zedekiah seems to have been weak rather than wicked. Consult Jeremiah 34; 37: His chief recorded sins were:
(1) his refusal to be guided in his political conduct by Jeremiah‘s counsels, while nevertheless he admitted him to be a true Yahweh-prophet; and
(2) his infraction of the allegiance which he had sworn to Nebuchadnezzar.
Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary
Concise Bible Commentary
Jehoiachin reigned but three months, yet long enough to show that he justly smarted for his fathers' sins, for he trod in their steps. His uncle was intrusted with the government. This Zedekiah was the last of the kings of Judah. Though the judgments of God upon the three kings before him might have warned him, he did that which was evil, like them. When those intrusted with the counsels of a nation act unwisely, and against their true interest, we ought to notice the displeasure of God in it. It is for the sins of a people that God hides from them the things that belong to the public peace. And in fulfilling the secret purposes of his justice, the Lord needs only leave men to the blindness of their own minds, or to the lusts of their own hearts. The gradual approach of Divine judgments affords sinners space for repentance, and believers leisure to prepare for meeting the calamity, while it shows the obstinacy of those who will not forsake their sins.
Ellen G. White
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 181
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 181
Those who valiantly take their position on the right side, who encourage submission to God's revealed will and strengthen others in their efforts to put away their wrong-doings, are the true friends of the Lord, who in love is trying to correct the errors of His people, that He may wash them and, cleansing them from every defilement, fit them for His holy kingdom. 4T 181.1
Zedekiah succeeded Jehoiakim in reigning at Jerusalem. But neither the new king nor his court nor the people of the land hearkened to the words of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah. The Chaldeans commenced the siege against Jerusalem, but were diverted for a time to turn their arms against the Egyptians. Zedekiah sent a messenger to Jeremiah, asking him to pray to the God of Israel in their behalf; but the prophet's fearful answer was that the Chaldean army would return and destroy the city. Thus the Lord showed them how impossible it is for man to avert divine judgment. “Thus saith the Lord; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us; for they shall not depart. For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.” 4T 181.2
Jeremiah considered his work done and attempted to leave the city; but he was prevented by a son of one of the false prophets, who reported that he was about to join the enemy. Jeremiah denied the lying charge, but nevertheless he was brought back. The princes were ready to believe the son of the false prophet because they hated Jeremiah. They seemed to think that he had brought upon them the calamity which he had predicted. In their wrath they smote him and imprisoned him. 4T 181.3
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Cross References
And he did
Nebuchadnezzar's Campaigns against Judah
