Bible Stories for Adults

Judah is Taken Into Captivity

2 Kings 24-25, Ezekiel, Jeremiah 38-44

Next Week - Jonah (Jonah)
Bible Words to Remember:
I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me - just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father - and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 10:14-15

How faithful of a king was Josiah?
2 Kings 23:25 = More faithful than other kings of Judah
What happened to Josiah?
2 Kings 23:29 = Died in battle against Pharaoh Neco at Megiddo
Why wasn't God with Josiah when he fought against Egypt? = Judah uninvolved
2 Chronicles 35:21-22 = God had sent Egypt to join Assyria against Babylon

Who succeeded Josiah and what happened to him?
2 Kings 23:31a, 32-33 = Josiah's son, Jehoahaz - Captured & exiled to Egypt by Neco
What did God prophecy through Jeremiah about Jehoahaz?
Jeremiah 22:11-12 = He will never return (Jehoahaz also called Shallum)

Who succeeded Jehoahaz and how did he secure his reign?
2 Kings 23:34-35 = Josiah's son, Eliakim (renamed Jehoiakim) taxed land & paid tribute
How faithful was Jehoiakim and what happened to his alliance with Egypt?
2 Kings 23:37-24:1 = Evil; Egypt fell to Babylon & Judah was vassal of Babylon 3 yrs
How did Babylon respond when Jehoiakim revolted?
2 Chronicles 36:6-7 = Nebuchadnezzar captured Jehoiakim & temple items, took to Babylon
What did God prophecy through Jeremiah about Jehoiakim?
Jeremiah 22:18-20 = No one would mourn for him, have burial of a donkey

Who succeeded Jehoiakim and how faithful was his reign?
2 Chronicles 36:9 = Jehoiakim's son, Jehoiachin; evil like his father
Why was Jehoiachin's reign so short?
2 Chronicles 36:10 = Surrendered when besieged by Nebuchadnezzar
What did God prophecy through Jeremiah about Jehoiachin?
Jeremiah 22:26-27, 30 = Will never come back; no offspring will sit on Judah throne
What happened to Jehoiachin later in Babylon?
2 Kings 25:27-29 = Given a place of honor in Babylonian household

Who succeeded Jehoiachin and how faithful was his reign?
2 Kings 24:17, 19 = Josiah's son, Mattaniah (renamed Zedekiah by N), Evil as brother
What was Zedekiah's biggest mistake?
2 Chronicles 36:13 = Rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar & God, Oath was in God's name

How did God explain Israel's actions to Jeremiah?
Jeremiah 3:6-7 = Unfaithful wife, commit adultery everywhere, God hoped she would return
What did God do in response to Israel's adultery and did this affect Judah?
Jeremiah 3:8 = He divorced Israel (Assyrian exile), Judah didn't return
Should Israel and Judah expect to be welcomed back by God if they returned?
Jeremiah 3:1 = No, This love is inconceivable (Is 62:5 = Loving husband)
Did God follow this rationale?
Jeremiah 3:12-13 = No, He would take them back if they repented

How did God try to get His people to return to Him?
Jeremiah 25:4-7 = Sent prophets to get people to return, didn't listen
Why didn't God's people find it necessary to return to God?
Micah 3:11b = Isn't the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us
What did God decide to do as a result of Israel's continued faithlessness?
Jeremiah 25:8-11 = Summon my servant Nebuchadnezzar, 70 yrs exile
How would the 70 years of captivity be ended?
Jeremiah 25:12 = Babylon would be destroyed

How did God begin to bring about this destruction?
2 Kings 24:10-12 = Jehoiachin surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon
What did Nebuchadnezzar take back to Babylon with the first exile?
2 Kings 24:13-16 = Anything & anybody of value were deported to Babylon
What prophet was taken into exile with Jehoiachin?
Ezekiel 1:2-3 = Ezekiel began prophesying while in exile in Babylon (5 yrs after exile)

God is punishing us for the sins of our fathers. = For nation, not souls
Exodus 34:7 = God punishes children to the 4th generation
Lamentations 5:7 = Our fathers sinned, we bear their punishment
Ezekiel 18:2-4, 20 = Quote proverb no more. Father & son don't share guilt.

Our guilt is too great. God has brought us here to die.
Ezekiel 33:10-11 = God has no pleasure destroying wicked, turn from evil & live
Ezekiel 18:25-27 = Righteous turned evil dies, wicked turned righteous lives

God has abandoned His people Israel. We have no hope.
Ezekiel 37:1-4, 10 = Ezekiel prophesies to dry bones & they come to life
Ezekiel 37:11-14 = I will raise you with my Spirit & return you to your land

What did Nebuchadnezzar do when Zedekiah rebelled?
2 Kings 25:1-3 = Besieged Jerusalem 1.5 yrs, Caused severe famine
How bad did the famine become?
Lamentations 4:10 = Began eating children
What happened when Zedekiah tried to escape?
2 Kings 25:4-7 = Caught, sons killed, blinded, taken to Babylon

What did Nebuchadnezzar take back to Babylon with the second exile?
2 Chronicles 36:18-20 = Everything & everyone that was left, Jerusalem destroyed
How did those of the first exile hear of the final destruction & exile?
Ezekiel 33:21 = A man who had escaped brought word to Ezekiel
What happened to anyone who escaped the exile and stayed in Judah?
Ezekiel 33:27-29 = Killed by sword, animals or plague
2 Chronicles 36:21 = Land enjoyed 70 yrs of sabbath rests
Who did Nebuchadnezzar appoint to govern this conquered land?
2 Kings 25:22 = Gedaliah

How was Jeremiah allowed to remain in Judah instead of going to Babylon?
Jeremiah 40:1-2, 4, 6 = Nebuzaradan, comm of guard, released him to Gedaliah
What happened to Jews who had fled to nearby countries before the exile?
Jeremiah 40:11-12 = They returned to Judah to farm under Gedaliah
What happened to Gedaliah?
Jeremiah 40:13-14; 41:2-3 = He was killed by Ammonites (Ishmael)

How did the few left handle the assassination of Babylon's appointed ruler?
Jeremiah 42:1-3 = They had Jeremiah ask God what they should do
What answer did Jeremiah return with?
Jeremiah 42:10-11, 13-14, 16 = Stay here & I'll build you, Leave & die
What did the Jews do with God's instructions?
Jeremiah 43:5-7 = They disobeyed & fled to Egypt, taking Jeremiah & Baruch
How did God punish this disobedience?
Jeremiah 44:13-14 = God would kill all who went to Egypt