This final chapter of 2 Kings tells a grim tale of shame and defeat. Israel’s occupation of the Promised Land is tragically terminated. Kings are exiled, leaders are executed, treasures are stolen, and the temple of the Lord that Solomon had built is burned to the ground. All this destruction and death is shocking, but not unexpected, for it all came about by the Word of the LORD. As Judah is ransacked and its people taken hostage, Zedekiah is left behind as a weak and corrupt puppet king. God’s prophets were preaching that His people should submit to the divine discipline, and not rebel against Babylon. Jeremiah proclaimed the message in Judah, as Ezekiel declared the same thing to the exiles 700 miles away. But Zedekiah rebelled anyway (24:20). Babylonian retaliation was brutal. When their mighty army returned to the gates of Jerusalem, the city could not survive. Zedekiah tries to escape but is soon captured and taken to the headquarters of Babylon’s king. There his sons are killed before his eyes, then his eyes are gouged out. The year was 587 BC, and the end had come. Most of the city is burned, and the walls are taken down stone by stone. More Jews are transported to Babylon, and Gedaliah is appointed as governor to supervise the poor laborers who are left behind to work the land (v 1-22). Gedaliah assures them that they could live safely under Babylonian rule. But just seven months later, he is assassinated. Foolish thugs from the royal bloodline apparently resented having a governor appointed over them who was not descended from David. Fearing retaliation from the Babylonians, the remaining people flee to Egypt (v 23-26). If the chapter ended here, we would have ample proof of God’s justice and judgment. But we might be left wondering if there was any hope for the Davidic line and God’s promises for a coming Messiah. But in fact, the book ends with a surprising twist, for sixteen years after his exile, King Jehoiachin is released from his imprisonment to live a life of dignity in Babylon. The story of redemption is not yet done, and the Davidic line not yet extinct (v 27-30). As Christians reading this chapter, we should tremble at God’s wrath and mourn over our own sins. But our grief turns to gladness as we recognize that the punishment we deserve was endured on a Roman cross. Jesus Christ is the true and better David, for whose sake God will show mercy (8:19; 19:34; 20:6; 2 Tim. 2:8). This is our only hope, that God will deal with our sins according to the merits of His risen Son. Let us turn to Him in true repentance and faith. For further meditation: