Chapters 21 to 25 in 2 Kings of the King James Bible cover the final days of the kingdom of Judah. These chapters introduce us to kings who led their people into spiritual decline, with a focus on Manasseh and Josiah, and the eventual fall of Judah to Babylon. Throughout these events, we see a pattern of disobedience, divine warnings, and inevitable judgment.
2 Kings 21: The Reign of Manasseh and Amon
Manasseh’s Evil Reign (21:1–18)
Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, ascends the throne at the age of twelve and reigns for fifty-five years. His reign stands out as one of the most wicked in Judah’s history. Unlike his father Hezekiah, who was faithful to God, Manasseh leads the nation into deep idolatry and rebellion against God.
- Idolatry Restored: Manasseh rebuilds the high places that his father had destroyed, erects altars for Baal, worships the host of heaven, and even places pagan altars inside the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.
- Child Sacrifice and Witchcraft: He goes so far as to sacrifice his own son and practices witchcraft and divination, further provoking the Lord to anger. His actions lead Judah astray, causing the people to commit great evil.
- Divine Judgment Pronounced: Because of Manasseh’s sins, the Lord declares that He will bring disaster upon Judah and Jerusalem. The prophecy says that Jerusalem will be wiped clean like a dish and that the people will be delivered into the hands of their enemies.
- Manasseh’s Death: Despite the long period of evil under Manasseh, he eventually dies and is buried in the garden of his own house, and his son Amon becomes king.
Amon’s Short Reign (21:19–26)
Manasseh’s son, Amon, follows in his father’s footsteps, continuing the idolatrous practices that provoked God’s anger. He reigns for only two years before his servants conspire against him and assassinate him in his own house. The people of the land then kill the conspirators and make Josiah, Amon’s son, the next king.
2 Kings 22–23: Josiah’s Reforms and the Rediscovery of the Law
Josiah’s Righteous Reign (22:1–23:30)
At the age of eight, Josiah becomes king, and unlike his father and grandfather, he leads Judah back to the worship of the Lord.
- The Book of the Law Found (22:3–20): In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, the book of the law is discovered in the temple during repairs. When Josiah hears the words of the law, he is struck with grief and tears his clothes, realizing how far Judah has strayed from God’s commandments.
- Huldah’s Prophecy: Josiah sends messengers to the prophetess Huldah to inquire of the Lord. She delivers a message of judgment, confirming that disaster will come upon Judah because of its disobedience. However, because of Josiah’s humility and repentance, God promises that this judgment will not happen during his reign.
- Josiah’s Reforms (23:1–25): Josiah leads a comprehensive reform, renewing the covenant between the Lord and the people. He removes all the idols, destroys the high places, defiles the altars of false gods, and restores proper worship in the temple. He even goes as far as removing the sodomites and tearing down the groves used in pagan worship.
- Celebration of the Passover: Under Josiah’s leadership, the people celebrate the Passover for the first time in many years, doing so in a manner that hadn’t been seen since the days of the judges. This celebration is a sign of the revival of true worship in Judah.
- Josiah’s Death (23:28–30): Despite his efforts to restore Judah spiritually, Josiah’s reign comes to an end when he is killed in battle against Pharaoh Necho of Egypt. His death marks the beginning of the final decline of Judah.
2 Kings 23:31–24:20: The Last Kings and the Fall of Jerusalem
After Josiah’s death, the kingdom of Judah quickly unravels as weak and ungodly kings lead the nation to its ultimate destruction.
Jehoahaz’s Short Reign (23:31–33)
Jehoahaz, Josiah’s son, reigns for only three months before he is deposed by Pharaoh Necho and taken captive to Egypt, where he dies. Jehoiakim, another of Josiah’s sons, is placed on the throne in his stead.
Jehoiakim’s Reign and Babylon’s Invasion (23:36–24:7)
Jehoiakim reigns for eleven years but does evil in the sight of the Lord. During his reign, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, invades Judah. Jehoiakim becomes a vassal to Babylon, but later rebels, leading to further invasions by the Babylonians and their allies. Jehoiakim’s reign ends when he dies, and his son Jehoiachin takes the throne.
Jehoiachin’s Reign and First Babylonian Exile (24:8–17)
Jehoiachin reigns for only three months before Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem. The city falls, and Jehoiachin, along with many nobles and skilled workers, is taken into captivity in Babylon. This marks the first significant exile of the people of Judah. Nebuchadnezzar then places Zedekiah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, on the throne as a puppet king.
Zedekiah’s Rebellion and the Final Fall of Jerusalem (24:18–25:21)
Zedekiah reigns for eleven years but, like his predecessors, he does evil in the sight of the Lord. In the ninth year of his reign, Zedekiah rebels against Babylon, leading to a devastating siege on Jerusalem.
- The Fall of Jerusalem: After two years of siege, the Babylonian army breaches the walls of Jerusalem. Zedekiah attempts to flee but is captured, and his sons are killed before his eyes. Zedekiah himself is blinded and taken captive to Babylon. The city of Jerusalem is destroyed—its walls are broken down, the temple is burned, and the treasures of the temple are carried off to Babylon.
- The End of Judah: The majority of the people are taken into exile, leaving only the poorest in the land. Gedaliah is appointed as governor over the remaining people, but he is soon assassinated, leading to further unrest. The once-proud kingdom of Judah is left in ruins.
2 Kings 25:22–30: Judah in Exile
In the final verses of 2 Kings, we see the aftermath of Judah’s destruction and exile.
- Gedaliah’s Assassination: Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor, is assassinated by Ishmael, leading to fear among the remaining people. Many flee to Egypt, fearing Babylonian reprisals.
- Jehoiachin’s Release: The book ends on a note of hope with the release of Jehoiachin, who had been in captivity for 37 years. The new Babylonian king, Evil-merodach, shows kindness to Jehoiachin, granting him a seat at the king’s table and treating him with honor for the rest of his life. This small glimmer of hope suggests that God’s promises to the line of David are not forgotten, even in exile.
Conclusion: The Downfall of Judah and God’s Faithfulness
The final chapters of 2 Kings paint a somber picture of the end of Judah as a nation. The people’s persistent rebellion against God, despite repeated warnings from prophets, leads to their downfall. However, even amid judgment and exile, God remains faithful to His promises. The release of Jehoiachin hints at the future restoration that will come when God brings His people back from exile.
These chapters remind us of the consequences of disobedience, the importance of true worship, and the enduring faithfulness of God to His covenant, even when His people face the darkest times.