The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-06-13
Lesson for June Is
JUDAH TAKEN CAPTIVE

LESSON TEXT-II Kings 25:1-21.
GOLDEN observation-disclosures ex-.
alteth nation. but sin is a reproach'
TO any people.
PRIMARY TOP1C-A Nation That
Forgot God.
JUNIOR ToP1c-A Nation That For
got God.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Paying the Price of Shining.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-National Accountability to God.
Zedekiah was made king of Judah
by the king of Babylon Q1 Kings
PAID, but in spite of this kindness
and the word of the Lord spoken to
him by Jeremiah (Jer. "a II. IS, CT.
Jer. 81 :3), he rebelled against the king
of Babylon. He relied upon the help
Of Egypt, but all that Egypt could do
was to cause temporary interruption
of the siege of Jerusalem.
]. The Siege of Jerusalem wv. 1-3).
L The time wv. l, p.
It began on the tenth day Of the
tenth month of the ninth year Of
Zedekiah's reign and lasted about
eighteen months. The tenth month,
according to the Jewish calendar, cor
responds to our December, January,
as their calendar year began about
the middle of March. The reason
the exact time is given is that this
was to be an event of great impor-
lance to the Jews in their exile.
2. The method ". y. Nebuchad
nezzar came with a large army and
encamped against Jerusalem and built
forts against it round about. 1t is
thought that siege walls we're built
around the city, shutting it in. On
the tops Of these walls forts were
built from which missiles of destruc-
ton could be hurled by their engines
of war against the city.
8. The famine ". -.
Geikie says, ut was speedily fol-
lowed, as is always the case, with an
outbreak of pestilence. Food was
well-nigh gone. There had long been
no bread. Mothers were at last driv-
en- to murder and eat their children
The richest citizens wandered about
searching for scraps in the dung
hills" 1t is estimated that one-third
of the people of Jerusalem died of
starvation.
u. Zedekiah's Flight and Fate
wv. 40.
!. "The city was broken up" ". ~.
The Chaldeans had succeeded in
making an opening in. the wall so
large that they could make their way
into the city in spite of all that the
Hebrews could do.
2. Zedekiah's flight ". ~.
The king with his men of war fed
by night toward the plain. His OBJ
ject no doubt was to cross the Jor.
dan at Jericho and hide in the noun
tains east Of the river.
8. Zedekiah's fate wv. SD.
Q) He was overtaken in the plains
of Jericho ". 81. When his flight
was discovered, the Chaldean army
pursued and captured him. (2) He
was brought to the king of Babylon
at Riblab ". g., town north of Da-
mascus. II was the kings headquar-
tiers from which he directed his
armies against Tyre and jerusalem
Zedekiah was tried as a criminal be-
fore Nebuchadnezzar. 81 His fate
". y. His sons were slain in his
sight; his eyes were put out; he was
bound with letters of brass and they
carried him to Babylon where he re-
manned prisoner until the day of his
death (Jer. 52:11).
Ill. Jerusalem Destroyed wv. 8-1O).
The dismantling of the city was de-
iayed a month, perhaps awaiting in
structions from Nebuchadnezzar, who
was at Riblah.
1. They burnt of the house of the
Lord ". 81.
This was the sacred temple built
by Solomon, with additions and mod
ifications. Before burning it was de.
spoiled Of all its sacred contents.
2. Burnt the kings house ". 81.
This was doubtless the palace built
by Solomon.
8. Burnt all the houses of Jerusa-
lem ". 81.
The implication is that the common
houses were left for the people
w. 12(.
a. They broke down the walls of
Jerusalem.
Nv. The Disposition Of the Temple
Furniture and Priests wv. 1920.
/. The temple furniture wv. 1910.
The pillars of brass and the brazen
sea were broken into pieces by the
Babylonians and were carried to
Babylon.
2. Certain officers and priests wv.
1920.
Certain officers, priests and three
score men were taken to Riblah by
the king Of Babylon, and were slain.
From Small Beginnings
Prayer brings God into what men