2 Kings 24: Jehoiakim’s Rebellion and Babylonian Conquest – Clear & Engaging Audio Bible Reading | The Downfall of Judah, Evil Kings, and God’s Judgement

Listen to the captivating account of 2 Kings 24 with this clear and engaging audio recording. Follow the story of Jehoiakim’s rebellion, the Babylonian conquest of Judah, the rule of evil kings, and God’s judgement. This chapter highlights the consequences of disobedience, the importance of repentance, and the faithfulness of God’s promises. Perfect for study, reflection, or spiritual growth, immerse yourself in this powerful chapter and let the Scriptures come alive.

2 KINGS 24 (NIV)

1 During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land,
and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. But then he turned against
Nebuchadnezzar and rebelled.

2 The Lord sent Babylonian, Aramean, Moabite and
Ammonite raiders against him to destroy Judah, in accordance with the word of
the Lord proclaimed by his servants the prophets.

3 Surely these things
happened to Judah according to the Lord’s command, in order to remove them
from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done,

4
including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with
innocent blood, and the Lord was not willing to forgive.

5 As for the other events of Jehoiakim’s reign, and all he did, are they not
written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?

6 Jehoiakim rested
with his ancestors. And Jehoiachin his son succeeded him as king.

7 The king of Egypt did not march out from his own country again, because the
king of Babylon had taken all his territory, from the Wadi of Egypt to the
Euphrates River.

8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in
Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan;
she was from Jerusalem.

9 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as his
father had done.

10 At that time the officers of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon advanced on
Jerusalem and laid siege to it,

11 and Nebuchadnezzar himself came up to the
city while his officers were besieging it.

12 Jehoiachin king of Judah, his
mother, his attendants, his nobles and his officials all surrendered to him.
In the eighth year of the reign of the king of Babylon, he took Jehoiachin
prisoner.

13 As the Lord had declared, Nebuchadnezzar removed the treasures
from the temple of the Lord and from the royal palace, and cut up the gold
articles that Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the Lord.

14
He carried all Jerusalem into exile: all the officers and fighting men, and
all the skilled workers and artisans—a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest
people of the land were left.

15 Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. He also took from
Jerusalem to Babylon the king’s mother, his wives, his officials and the
prominent people of the land.

16 The king of Babylon also deported to Babylon
the entire force of seven thousand fighting men, strong and fit for war, and a
thousand skilled workers and artisans.

17 He made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s
uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah.

18 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in
Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah;
she was from Libnah.

19 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as Jehoiakim
had done.

20 It was because of the Lord’s anger that all this happened to
Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end he thrust them from his presence.
Now Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.