Cameo of Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar had conquered Jerusalem before and might have gone on to conquer Egypt, if his father, Nabopolassar, had not died and he had to hurry back to Babylon to claim the throne. He was crowned Emperor on September 6, 605 B.C. Egypt had been so roundly defeated by Nebuchadnezzar, that they did not venture to leave their homeland after this attack, because Nebuchadnezzar had taken all their conquered lands, II Kings 24:7.
Just before Nebuchadnezzar headed back home, King Jehoiakim of Judah, promised allegiance to Babylon. He remained loyal for three years, but then rebelled and did not pay the taxes. It was in December of 598 B.C. that Nebuchadnezzar came and laid siege against Jerusalem. At the beginning of this three months siege, Jehoiakim died and his son, Jehoiachin reigned in his place.
On March 15 and 16, 597 B.C. Jerusalem fell, and Jehoiachin was carried away to Babylon.
A great deal of blood was shed in Jerusalem, and the great artists and specialists were taken. The most famous are: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Zedekiah was set on the throne, but he rebelled after 9 years. Jerusalem went through a two-year siege that time, falling in 587.
The three invasions of Nebuchadnezzar against Jerusalem: 605 B.C., 597 B.C. & 587 B.C. This invasion was the second one.
Sources
Smith, W. Smith's Bible Dictionary. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997).
Freedman, D. N. The Anchor Bible Dictionary. (New York: Doubleday, 1996, c1992). Vol. 3, Page 665.
Mays, J. L., P. Harper & Row, & Society of Biblical Literature. Harper's Bible Commentary. (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1996, c1988). Je 1:1.
Achtemeier, P. J., P. Harper & Row, & Society of Biblical Literature. Harper's Bible Dictionary. 1st ed. (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985). Page 513.
“The Three Campaigns of Nebuchnezzar” Norris, D. T. Logos Deluxe Map Set. (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997 c1995).
Charles F. Pfeiffer, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary: Old Testament, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1962). 2 Ki 24:8
