2 Rois - Caput 25

2 Rois 25.1 factum est autem anno nono regni eius mense decimo decima die mensis venit Nabuchodonosor rex Babylonis ipse et omnis exercitus eius in Hierusalem et circumdederunt eam et extruxerunt in circuitu eius munitiones 2 Rois 25.2 et clausa est civitas atque vallata usque ad undecimum annum regis Sedeciae 2 Rois 25.3 nona die mensis praevaluitque fames in civitate nec erat panis populo terrae 2 Rois 25.4 et interrupta est civitas et omnes viri bellatores nocte fugerunt per viam portae quae est inter duplicem murum ad hortum regis porro Chaldei obsidebant in circuitu civitatem fugit itaque per viam quae ducit ad campestria solitudinis 2 Rois 25.5 et persecutus est exercitus Chaldeorum regem conprehenditque eum in planitie Hiericho et omnes bellatores qui erant cum eo dispersi sunt et reliquerunt eum 2 Rois 25.6 adprehensum ergo regem duxerunt ad regem Babylonis in Reblatha qui locutus est cum eo iudicium 2 Rois 25.7 filios autem Sedeciae occidit coram eo et oculos eius effodit vinxitque eum catenis et adduxit in Babylonem 2 Rois 25.8 mense quinto septima die mensis ipse est annus nonusdecimus regis Babylonis venit Nabuzardan princeps exercitus servus regis Babylonis Hierusalem 2 Rois 25.9 et succendit domum Domini et domum regis et domos Hierusalem omnemque domum conbusit igni 2 Rois 25.10 et muros Hierusalem in circuitu destruxit omnis exercitus Chaldeorum qui erat cum principe militum 2 Rois 25.11 reliquam autem populi partem qui remanserat in civitate et perfugas qui transfugerant ad regem Babylonis et reliquum vulgus transtulit Nabuzardan princeps militiae 2 Rois 25.12 et de pauperibus terrae reliquit vinitores et agricolas 2 Rois 25.13 columnas autem aereas quae erant in templo Domini et bases et mare aereum quod erat in domo Domini confregerunt Chaldei et transtulerunt aes omnium in Babylonem 2 Rois 25.14 ollas quoque aereas et trullas et tridentes et scyphos et omnia vasa aerea in quibus ministrabant tulerunt 2 Rois 25.15 necnon turibula et fialas quae aurea aurea et quae argentea argentea tulit princeps militiae 2 Rois 25.16 id est columnas duas mare unum et bases quas fecerat Salomon in templo Domini non erat pondus aeris omnium vasorum 2 Rois 25.17 decem et octo cubitos altitudinis habebat columna una et capitellum aereum super se altitudinis trium cubitorum et reticulum et malogranata super capitellum columnae omnia aerea similem et columna secunda habebat ornatum 2 Rois 25.18 tulit quoque princeps militiae Seraian sacerdotem primum et Sophoniam sacerdotem secundum et tres ianitores 2 Rois 25.19 et de civitate eunuchum unum qui erat praefectus super viros bellatores et quinque viros de his qui steterant coram rege quos repperit in civitate et Sopher principem exercitus qui probabat tirones de populo terrae et sex viros e vulgo qui inventi fuerant in civitate 2 Rois 25.20 quos tollens Nabuzardan princeps militum duxit ad regem Babylonis in Reblatha 2 Rois 25.21 percussitque eos rex Babylonis et interfecit in Reblatha in terra Emath et translatus est Iuda de terra sua 2 Rois 25.22 populo autem qui relictus erat in terra Iuda quem dimiserat Nabuchodonosor rex Babylonis praefecit Godoliam filium Ahicham filii Saphan 2 Rois 25.23 quod cum audissent omnes duces militum ipsi et viri qui erant cum eis videlicet quod constituisset rex Babylonis Godoliam venerunt ad Godoliam in Maspha Ismahel filius Nathaniae et Iohanan filius Caree et Sareia filius Thenaameth Nethophathites et Iezonias filius Maachathi ipsi et socii eorum 2 Rois 25.24 iuravitque eis Godolias et sociis eorum dicens nolite timere servire Chaldeis manete in terra et servite regi Babylonis et bene erit vobis 2 Rois 25.25 factum est autem in mense septimo venit Ismahel filius Nathaniae filii Elisama de semine regio et decem viri cum eo percusseruntque Godoliam qui mortuus est sed et Iudaeos et Chaldeos qui erant cum eo in Maspha 2 Rois 25.26 consurgens autem omnis populus a parvo usque ad magnum et principes militum venerunt in Aegyptum timentes Chaldeos 2 Rois 25.27 factum est vero anno tricesimo septimo transmigrationis Ioiachin regis Iudae mense duodecimo vicesima septima die mensis sublevavit Evilmerodach rex Babylonis anno quo regnare coeperat caput Ioiachin regis Iuda de carcere 2 Rois 25.28 et locutus est ei benigna et posuit thronum eius super thronum regum qui erant cum eo in Babylone 2 Rois 25.29 et mutavit vestes eius quas habuerat in carcere et comedebat panem semper in conspectu eius cunctis diebus vitae suae 2 Rois 25.30 annonam quoque constituit ei absque intermissione quae et dabatur ei a rege per singulos dies omnibus diebus vitae suae

2 Rois : Caput 25

The Fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian Exile

Chapter 25 of the book of 2 Kings recounts the tragic fall of Jerusalem and the exile of its inhabitants to Babylon. This moving account marks the end of an era for the divided kingdom and confronts us with profound themes such as divine judgment, desolation, and hope.

Destruction of the Temple and Deportation

This chapter vividly describes the destruction of the temple, the final deportation of the inhabitants, and the tragic fate of the remnants of the people. These events resonate with deep sadness, but they also remind us of God's sovereignty in the history of His people.

A Glimmer of Hope

However, 2 Kings 25 also offers a glimmer of hope with the rise of Jehoiachin in Babylon. Despite the desolation, this passage encourages us to see beyond the trials and keep faith in God's promise of restoration.

Reflection on Key Passages

To deepen our understanding of the themes of this chapter, we invite you to meditate on five biblical passages that shed light on these crucial moments:

Jeremiah 39:1-2

"In the tenth month of the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem with all his army and besieged it. And on the ninth day of the fourth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the wall was broken down." This account from Jeremiah provides additional details about the siege of Jerusalem, corroborating the events described in 2 Kings 25:1-4. Lamentations 2:5 "The Lord has become like an enemy; he has devoured Israel. He has destroyed all their palaces and razed their fortresses. He has multiplied weeping and lamentation for the daughter of Judah." This poetic lament reflects the destruction of Jerusalem, as highlighted in 2 Kings 25:8-10.

Ezekiel 24:1-2

"In the ninth year, on the tenth day of the tenth month, this word from the Lord came to me: 'Son of man, write this date down, this very day, for the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem on this very day.'" Ezekiel, in exile, receives a revelation about the beginning of the siege, in connection with 2 Kings 25:1.

Psalms 137:1

"By the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept for Zion." This psalm expresses the lament of the exiles after the fall of Jerusalem, resonating with the story of 2 Kings 25.

Jeremiah 52:31-34

"In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, the year that Evil-Merodach became king of Babylon, he brought Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison... until the day of his death." This passage, which evokes Jehoiachin's liberation, closely recalls the story in 2 Kings 25:27-30, highlighting the hope that persists even in exile.

By meditating on these texts, we can find comfort and inspiration, knowing that even in the darkest moments, God is present and active in the history of His people. May this reflection guide us on the path of faith and hope.