Judah’s King Zedekiah
11 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old 36:11–13 2Kg 24:18–20; Jr 52:1–3 when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. 12 He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord his God and did not humble himself 36:12 2Ch 33:23 before the prophet Jeremiah at the Lord’s command. 36:12 Jr 21:3–713 He also rebelled against 36:13 Ezk 17:15 King Nebuchadnezzar who had made him swear allegiance by God. He became obstinate 36:13 Lit He stiffened his neck, 36:13 2Ch 30:8 and hardened his heart against returning to the Lord, the God of Israel. 14 All the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, imitating all the detestable practices of the nations, and they defiled the Lord’s temple that he had consecrated in Jerusalem.
The Destruction of Jerusalem
15 But the Lord, the God of their ancestors sent word against them by the hand of his messengers, sending them time and time again, 36:15 Jr 7:13; 25:3,11–12 for he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. 16 But they kept ridiculing God’s messengers, 36:16 2Ch 30:10; Jr 5:12–13 despising his words, 36:16 Pr 1:24–32 and scoffing at his prophets, until the Lord’s wrath was so stirred up against his people that there was no remedy. 36:16 Ezr 5:12