We are here in the closing scenes of Judah's history as a kingdom, about the year 590 B. C. It may help in our understanding of the situation of Jerusalem and the king and his advisers, to review briefly the events of the last twenty years, as told to us in the Scriptures. Josiah, exceptionally godly ruler of Judah in his early years, lost his life through going out against Pharaoh Necho, King of Egypt, who led an army to the river Euphrates (2 Kings 23:99Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren. (2 Kings 23:9)), He had three wicked sons who in turn ascended the throne of Judah, until in the judgment of God, that throne was finally removed, and the people and their king were carried away to Babylon.
Jehoabaz, not the eldest son, was made king by the people when his father died; he reigned only 3 months, yet long enough for his character to be seen. "He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord according to all that his fathers had done." The Egyptian king Necho made him a prisoner, took him to Egypt and put his brother Eliakim, whom he renamed Jehoiakim, in his place as king of Judah,
In the third year of Jehoiakim's rule, Nebuchadnezzar the Babylonian came to Jerusalem and after a siege of the city, carried off part of the vessels of the temple and a number of people as his prisoners; among these were Daniel and his three companions (see Daniel 1). Then began a period of 70 years of captivity for Judah, spoken of in Jeremiah 25:11-1211And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. 12And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the Lord, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations. (Jeremiah 25:11‑12) and Daniel 9:22In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. (Daniel 9:2).
Jehoiakim was allowed to remain king of Judah; after three years he rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, and thereafter until his death, Judah was ravaged by the Chaldean, Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites. He reigned 11 years; at his death his son Jehoiachin became king, but after three months was deposed by Nebuchadnezzar and carried off to Babylon with many other captives, including Ezekiel the prophet. At this time all the treasures of the temple, and all but the "poorest sort" of the people were removed to Babylon.
Consequent upon his flagrantly wicked course, and breaking the promise he had made in God's name (see Ezekiel 17:12-2112Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon; 13And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land: 14That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand. 15But he rebelled against him in sending his ambassadors into Egypt, that they might give him horses and much people. Shall he prosper? shall he escape that doeth such things? or shall he break the covenant, and be delivered? 16As I live, saith the Lord God, surely in the place where the king dwelleth that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, even with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die. 17Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons: 18Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, when, lo, he had given his hand, and hath done all these things, he shall not escape. 19Therefore thus saith the Lord God; As I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head. 20And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare, and I will bring him to Babylon, and will plead with him there for his trespass that he hath trespassed against me. 21And all his fugitives with all his bands shall fall by the sword, and they that remain shall be scattered toward all winds: and ye shall know that I the Lord have spoken it. (Ezekiel 17:12‑21)), in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, Nebuchadnezzar's hosts began a siege of Jerusalem which lasted for a year and a half, until further resistance was impossible. 2 Kings 25 tells of the closing scenes of the siege and the punishment the Babylonians inflicted upon king, people, and city. Jeremiah 21 evidently relates to the first appearance of Nebuchadnezzar's army.
It was only when fear possessed him, that Zedekiah thought of God. Proverbs 29:11He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. (Proverbs 29:1) is a word suited to his case, and he was to experience it though he hoped to find relief from the consequences of his sins.
Psalm 50:1515And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalm 50:15) was not written for the unrepentant, as verse 16 shows, though Zedekiah must have thought of the time when his ancestor Hezekiah, 107 years before, had God for his helper against the Assyrians, and hoped that the same powerful Arm might be stretched out for his help.
Verses 8 and 9 presenting the way of escape from richly deserved punishment for the sins of the people, illustrate the present gracious offer of the longsuffering God (the gospel of His grace) whereby the way of life eternal is offered to all that come to Him through His Son Jesus Christ Our Lord.