Chapter 24

Neb came up, and Jehoiakim was his servant 3 years.  After that, Jehoiakim rebels against Neb.  God sends bands of Chaldeans, Moabities, Ammonites, and Syrians to destroy Judah, as was prophesied, because of all the innocent blood shed by Manasseh, that God will not forgive.  Here is the verse:

3 Surely this came upon Judah at the command of the LORD, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, 4 and also for the innocent blood that he had shed. For he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD would not pardon. [2Ki 24:3-4 ESV]

God avenges innocent blood, against individuals in eternity, and certainly against countries in history.

Jehoiakim dies, his son Jehoiachin becomes king.  Egypt stayed home, because Neb had taken much of his land.

Jehoiachin only reigns 3 mos.  He was evil for that three months.  8th year of Neb's reign.  Jehoiachin gives himself up to Neb - who actually comes to the city of Jerusalem.  Also gives up his Mom, servants, and officials.  Neb carries off the Temple treasures.  Neb cuts in pieces the golden vessels of the temple Solomon had made.  10,000 captives were taken.  He took away all but the poorest of the people.  Neb makes Mattathiah, the King's Uncle, King in his place and changes his name to Zedekiah. (So now the names make some sense.)

2022 - This verse:

20 For because of the anger of the LORD it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that he cast them out from his presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. [2Ki 24:20 ESV].  That is, without the oversight of God, Zedekiah just went stupid.  Surely we are seeing this same kind of insanity today. 

Zedekiah reigns 11 years.  He also does evil in God's sight.  God has thrown them out anyway.  Zedekiah rebels against Nebuchadnezzar.  Duh!