📖 2 Kings — Chapter 25 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Kings 25:1 And it came to pass Rin the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.
2 Kings 25:2 And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.
2 Kings 25:3 And on Rthe ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.
2 Kings 25:4 And the city was broken up, and all the men of war Rfled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king’s garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain.
2 Kings 25:5 And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, Rand overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him.
2 Kings 25:6 So Rthey took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they Tgave judgment upon him.
2 Kings 25:7 And Rthey slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and Tput out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.
2 Kings 25:8 And Rin the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, Tcaptain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem:
2 Kings 25:9 And Rhe burnt the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man’s house burnt he with fire.
2 Kings 25:10 And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, Rbrake down the walls of Jerusalem round about.
2 Kings 25:11 Now Rthe rest of the people that were left in the city, and the Tfugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carry away.
2 Kings 25:12 But the captain of the guard Rleft of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.
2 Kings 25:13 And the Rpillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon.
2 Kings 25:14 And Rthe pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away.
2 Kings 25:15 And the firepans, and the bowls, Rand such things as were of gold, in gold, and of silver, in silver, the captain of the guard took away.
2 Kings 25:16 The two pillars, Tone sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of the LORD; Rthe brass of all these vessels was without weight.
2 Kings 25:17 The height of the Rone pillar was eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it was brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work.
2 Kings 25:18 And the Rcaptain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the Tdoor:
2 Kings 25:19 And out of the city he took an RTofficer that was set over the men of war, and five men of them that Twere in the king’s presence, which were found in the city, and the Tprincipal scribe of the host, which mustered the people of the land, and threescore men of the people of the land that were found in the city:
2 Kings 25:20 And Nebuzaradan captain of the guard took these, Rand brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah:
2 Kings 25:21 And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. RSo Judah was carried away out of their land.
2 Kings 25:22 And as for Rthe people that remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, ruler.
2 Kings 25:23 RAnd when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
2 Kings 25:24 And Gedaliah Rsware to them, and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you.
2 Kings 25:25 But it came to pass in the Rseventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed Troyal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah.
2 Kings 25:26 And all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose, and came to Egypt: for they were afraid of the Chaldees.
2 Kings 25:27 And Rit came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;
2 Kings 25:28 And he spake Tkindly to him, and set his throne above Rthe throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon;
2 Kings 25:29 And Rchanged his prison garments: and he did eat bread continually before him all the days of his life.
2 Kings 25:30 And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, Ra daily rate for every day, all the days of his life.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 25:1–7 — Jerusalem falls
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Babylon besieges Jerusalem until famine leaves the people without bread. When the city is breached, the king flees but is captured near Jericho. Zedekiah witnesses his sons' deaths and is blinded and taken away. The chapter records devastating human suffering as the announced judgment reaches its terrible conclusion.
Key Truth: Take the consequences of rebellion seriously.
Check What You Remember
1. Which king laid siege to Jerusalem? (2 Kings 25:1)
Find it in 2 Kings 25:1 (KJV).
2. What left the people without bread? (2 Kings 25:3)
Find it in 2 Kings 25:3 (KJV).
3. Where was Zedekiah captured? (2 Kings 25:5)
Find it in 2 Kings 25:5 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 25:8–21 — Temple destroyed and people exiled
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Nebuzaradan burns the temple, palace, and houses and breaks down Jerusalem's walls. Sacred furnishings are carried away, and many inhabitants are deported. Priests and other leaders are executed at Riblah. The poorest remain to tend the land. The destruction makes clear how much Judah has lost.
Key Truth: Treat God's word and worship with reverence.
Check What You Remember
1. Who burned the house of the LORD? (2 Kings 25:8)
Find it in 2 Kings 25:8 (KJV).
2. Who remained as vinedressers and husbandmen? (2 Kings 25:12)
Find it in 2 Kings 25:12 (KJV).
3. Where were the captured leaders put to death? (2 Kings 25:21)
Find it in 2 Kings 25:21 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 25:22–30 — A fragile remnant and a mercy
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Gedaliah encourages the remaining people to settle and serve Babylon, but his assassination drives them to Egypt in fear. Years later Jehoiachin is released from prison and receives daily provision. This small act of mercy closes the book with a measure of hope, without claiming that the exile has ended.
Key Truth: Even after great loss, mercy can still appear.
Check What You Remember
1. Whom did Babylon appoint over the remaining people? (2 Kings 25:22)
Find it in 2 Kings 25:22 (KJV).
2. Where did the people flee after his death? (2 Kings 25:26)
Find it in 2 Kings 25:26 (KJV).
3. Which captive king was released from prison? (2 Kings 25:27)
Find it in 2 Kings 25:27 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Lamentations 1:1 — Lamentations mourns the devastation of Jerusalem.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can you acknowledge painful consequences while remaining attentive to signs of mercy?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How do famine and military defeat combine at Jerusalem’s fall?
2. What happens to Zedekiah after capture?
3. What is done with the great brasen temple furnishings?
4. What does Gedaliah urge the remaining people to do?
5. What change closes the book in Jehoiachin’s circumstances?
Notes
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