Page 286 - Bible History

II. THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY
1. KING JOAKIM DISREGARDS THE WARNINGS OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAS
Egypt and Babylonia were now at war with each other. In Juda there were two divisions of the Jews. One favored Egypt, the other favored Babylonia. Joakim was king, and Jeremias, the priest and prophet, warned him to obey God and to trust in Him rather than in an alliance with the king of Egypt. He
prophesied the evils that would come to the Jews who relied upon Egypt. Joakim favored the Egyptians, and ordered his arrest, but Jeremias escaped.
The words of Jeremias were soon ful lled. Nabu- chodonosor, son of the king of Babylon, laid siege to Jerusalem, now allied with Egypt, and captured the city. He carried o the sacred vessels of the Temple. He put the king in prison and took many of the men of the city captives. After a short time in prison, Joakim was released and restored to his throne as a subject of the king of Babylon.
Three years later, Joakim rebelled against the Babylonians. An army was sent against Jerusalem. It entered the city and the king and the principal men of his faction were killed. The city was conquered and the son of Joakim placed on the throne.
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Jerusalem. He burnt the Temple and carried o the
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