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2 Kings 24:1-20 open_in_new
Jehoiakim became tributary to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar. The continuity of evil made impossible any respite, and it is solemnly written, "The Lord would not pardon."
In this connection the sins of Jehoiakim are attributed to Manasseh, that is to say that it was during the fifty-five years of Manasseh's reign that the fate of the nation was sealed. His successors continued in his evil way, and that with no trace of repentance or reformation.
Finally, Jehoiachin, who had succeeded to Jehoiakim, was carried away by Nebuchadnezzar, with all the men of war, and rulers who were likely to rebel. In place of Jehoiachin, Nebuchadnezzar made Zedekiah his representative and vassal. Zedekiah held this position eleven years, during which he continued his evil conduct. In process of time he rebelled against the king of Babylon.