¹⁵ Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin^(A) captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king’s mother,^(B) his wives, his officials and the prominent people^(C) of the land. ¹⁶ The king of Babylon also deported to Babylon the entire force of seven thousand fighting men, strong and fit for war, and a thousand skilled workers and artisans.^{(D) 17} He made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah.^(E)

Zedekiah King of Judah^(F)

¹⁸ Zedekiah^(G) was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal^(H) daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. ¹⁹ He did evil^(I) in the eyes of the Lord, just as Jehoiakim had done. ²⁰ It was because of the Lord’s anger that all this happened to Jerusalem and Judah, and in the end he thrust^(J) them from his presence.^(K)

The Fall of Jerusalem^(L)(M)(N)

Now Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.

¹⁰ In the spring, King Nebuchadnezzar sent for him and brought him to Babylon,^(A) together with articles of value from the temple of the Lord, and he made Jehoiachin’s uncle,^[a] Zedekiah, king over Judah and Jerusalem.

Zedekiah King of Judah^(B)

¹¹ Zedekiah^(C) was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. ¹² He did evil in the eyes of the Lord^(D) his God and did not humble^(E) himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the word of the Lord. ¹³ He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him take an oath^(F) in God’s name. He became stiff-necked^(G) and hardened his heart and would not turn to the Lord, the God of Israel.