What does 2 Kings 25:4 mean?
"And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king’s garden: ( now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain." - 2 Kings 25:4
2 Kings 25:4 (KJV) says, "And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain."
This verse comes from the book of 2 Kings, which is a part of the historical books of the Old Testament. It records the history of the kings of Israel and Judah, focusing on their successes and failures, as well as the impact of their leadership on the nation as a whole.
The verse takes place in the context of the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army, led by King Nebuchadnezzar. The city was under attack, and its defenses were failing. The city was "broken up" and the men of war, the defenders of the city, fled in fear under the cover of night. The Chaldees, or Babylonians, had surrounded the city and were closing in on it from all sides. The king, King Zedekiah, attempted to escape the city by way of the gate between two walls, near the king's garden, heading towards the plain.
This verse is a part of the larger narrative of the fall of Jerusalem and the exile of the people of Judah into Babylonian captivity. It serves as a historical account of the consequences of the people's disobedience and rebellion against God, leading to the destruction of their city and their removal from their homeland.
One of the key themes in this verse is the consequences of sin and disobedience. Throughout the book of 2 Kings, the nation of Judah repeatedly turned away from God, engaging in idolatry and other sinful practices. As a result, they faced the judgment and wrath of God in the form of invasions, war, and ultimately exile. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God and the consequences of turning away from Him.
The symbolism in this verse is also significant. The city of Jerusalem, which was meant to be a place of safety and security, is now broken and vulnerable. The flight of the men of war and the attempted escape of the king symbolize the loss of hope and the desperation of the people in the face of impending destruction. The surrounding of the city by the Chaldees represents the overwhelming power of their enemy and the futility of resistance.
Overall, 2 Kings 25:4 is a sobering reminder of the tragic consequences of disobedience and rebellion against God. It serves as a cautionary tale for future generations, demonstrating the importance of remaining faithful to God and the dire consequences of straying from His path. It also highlights the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises, even when those promises involve judgment and discipline.
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2 Kings 25:4 Artwork
2 Kings 25:4 - "¶ And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain."
"¶ And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain." - 2 Kings 25:4
2 Kings 25:2 - "And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah."
2 Kings 4:25 - "So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:"
2 Kings 25:1 show King Nebuchadnezzar in war zone
2 Kings 21:25 - "Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 25:28 - "And he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon;"
2 Kings 2:25 - "And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria."
2 Kings 25:1 show King Nebuchadnezzar and the army and the Temple
2 Kings 25:12 - "But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen."
2 Kings 4:4-5
Proverbs 25:2 - "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter."
2 Kings 25:20 - "And Nebuzar-adan captain of the guard took these, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah:"
Jehoiachin is released from Babylonian jail 2 kings 25: 27
Jeremiah 25:25 - "And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes,"
"And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah." - 2 Kings 25:2
2 Kings 25:3 - "And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land."
2 Kings 25:6 - "So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him."
2 Kings 25:14 - "And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away."
1 Kings 2:25 - "And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died."
2 Kings 25:10 - "And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about."
2 Kings 25:18 - "¶ And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:"
2 Chronicles 25:26 - "Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?"
2 Kings 25:15 - "And the firepans, and the bowls, and such things as were of gold, in gold, and of silver, in silver, the captain of the guard took away."
2 Kings 8:25 - "¶ In the twelfth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel did Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah begin to reign."
2 Kings 25:26 - "And all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose, and came to Egypt: for they were afraid of the Chaldees."
2 Kings 25:30 - "And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life."
2 Kings 25:25 - "But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah."
2 Kings 25:21 - "And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away out of their land."
2 Kings 25:9 - "And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire."