The Burning of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar, at the time of the carrying away of that first train of captives, did not wholly destroy Jerusalem. On the contrary, he accepted the Jews as subjects, and placed over their heads as his vice-king a third son of Josiah, to whom the conqueror gave the new name of Zedekiah.
For eleven years Zedekiah ruled in shame and sin, then, encouraged apparently by the Egyptian government, he rebelled against Babylon. This time Nebuchadnezzar did not come in person against Jerusalem; he sent one of his generals, who besieged the city. When the pinch of famine came, King Zedekiah attempted to break out with his troops and escape. He was captured; his sons were all slain before his eyes, and then, that his might be the last sight those eyes should ever behold, he was blinded, and kept a prisoner until his death.
Meanwhile Jerusalem itself was stormed, and set on fire. Massacre was let loose in every street. The huge walls and gorgeous buildings were beaten down, until all lay in rains. The assailants “had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age.” Such of the inhabitants as survived the murderous fury of the victors were driven captive to Babylon. This was “the great captivity.”
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