7. King Zedekiah Tries to Flee
The Babylonian Army Finds King Zedekiah in the Plains of Jericho
2 Kings 25:5 - And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him. 6 - So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him."
When they knew that the Egyptians failed to prevent the Babylonians from Jerusalem’s defeat, Zedekiah and his fighting men managed to slip out of the city during the night. Making their way cautiously through the line of surrounding forts, they hurried off to the east toward the Jordan Valley.
Word of their escape soon reached the Babylonians, and a detachment was sent in pursuit. On the plain of Jericho, Zedekiah was captured, having been almost completely forsaken by his officers and men. Nebuchadnezzar had taken up residence in the town of Riblah, north of Damascus, and this last king of Judah was dragged there in fetters, tried and condemned. One by one his sons were brought in and slain in his presence. His eyes were blinded; in fetters he was led off to Babylon and there thrown into prison for the rest of his days.
King Zedekiah fled with his army through the Dung Gate in order to reach the Arabah and the safety of the Jordan Valley, but he was overtaken and captured "in the plains of Jericho" and a terrible punishment followed before he was led captive to Babylon.
2 Kings 25:7 "Then they killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, put out the eyes of Zedekiah, bound him with bronze fetters, and took him to Babylon."
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