Page 25 - The Minor Prophets - Student textbook

Nebuchadnezzar placed Jehoiachin’s uncle Mattaniah on the throne of Judah, giving him the throne
name Zedekiah (597-586). After some years Zedekiah, disregarding the warnings of Jeremiah, revolted
against Babylonia, relying on possible Egyptian help.

The fall of Jerusalem (586 BCE)
Again Nebuchadnezzar invaded rebellious Judah. Letters on potsherds sent to the Jewish commander
at Lachish illustrate the advance of the Babylonians as they captured town after town. Lachish itself
was taken and burned. Jerusalem withstood the Babylonian siege for eighteen months. In July, 586
BCE, the Babylonians broke through the walls. Zedekiah tried to escape, but he was captured, blinded,
and taken to Babylon. In August the Babylonians burned the city, including the Temple, and broke
down the walls. Some of the Jewish leaders were executed, others were taken to Babylonia. Only the
poor were left to till the soil.

The fall of Jerusalem
to the Babylonians
and destruction of
the city.

List of the Kings of Israel and their response to Yahweh

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