2 Kings 25
DOYLYVer. 4. — by the way of the gate between two walls.] In the relation of the same event in Jeremiah, it is said, “They went by the way of the king’s garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls.” It appears that the besieged made their escape by some way between the wall and the outworks, which the enemy did not suspect. It is probable that the king’s garden faced the country, and that there was some private and imperceptible gate, in a part where the besiegers kept a less strict watch, for the very reason of its leading towards the plain, where their complete escape was the less practicable. Stackhouse. See the note on Jer. xxxix. 4.
— Evil-merodach] His proper name was Merodach; he seems to have been called Evil-merodach, that is, “foolish Merodach,” because he was a very profligate and vicious prince. Dean Prideaux.
Chap. I. ver. 1. Adam, Sheth, &c.] As it was one of the useful designs of the following collection out of the Israelite histories, first, to uphold the great fact of the creation of the world, and the propagation of mankind as derived from the first pair; and secondly, to preserve
2 Kings 25:6
- — they gave judgment upon him.] A great council, it is probable, was called, who passed a solemn sentence upon him, in condemning him as a rebellious subject. Thus was fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah, that he should see the king of Babylon and speak with him, Jer. xxxii. 4; xxxiv. 3. Bp. Patrick.
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- — and put out the eyes of Zedekiah.] Thus were consistently fulfilled the two seemingly different and contrary predictions of Jeremiah and Ezekiel concerning
him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him.
2 Kings 25:9
- And he burnt the house of the Lord.] What pity it was to see the Holy of Hohes, into which none might enter but the high priest once a year, now thronged with Pagans, the valle rent, the sacred ark of God violated and defaced, the tables overturned, the altars broken down, the pillars demolished, the pavements digged up, yea, the very ground where that famous pile stood, deformed! Four hundred and thirty-six years had that temple stood and beautified the earth and honoured Heaven: now it is turned into rude heaps. There is no prescription to be pleaded for the favour of the Almighty. Only that temple, not made with hands, is eternal in the heavens. Thither will He graciously bring His faithful servants, for the sake of that glorious High Priest, who has once for all entered into that Holy of Hohes. Bp. Hall.
Evil-merodach advanceth Jehoiachin. Before CHRIST 562. things with him. Evil-merodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;
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- — all the days of his life.] Evil-merodach made himself so intolerable in his government, that at length his own relations conspired against him, and put him to death. Dean Prideaux. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the wonder of all times, the paragon of nations, the glory of the earth, the favourite of Heaven; how art thou now become an heap of ashes a spectacle of desolation, a monument of ruin! Thou hast drunk that bitter cup of God’s vengeance, if less early, yet no less deeply, than thy sister city, Samaria. How carefully had thy God forewarned thee: and lo, judgments, the fruits of thy iniquities, have now overtaken thee! Both cities lie together in the dust; both are made a curse to all posterity. What place will the justice of God spare, if Jerusalem, His delight, perished and was cut off for her wickedness! Bp. Hall. We have now seen the end of that glorious kingdom, and of the entire Israelitish monarchy, after it had stood