1. God's mercy for the king (1-7)

The city would be destroyed and King Zedekiah captured. But God promised him that he would die in peace and be buried in honor--if he had faith.

2. A covenant to free the slaves (8-11)

The king and people made a covenant to free all the Hebrew slaves in Jerusalem. According to God's law, slaves should be set free. But rich, lazy people depended on slave labor. This time, however, with God's sword of judgment hanging over the city, they set all slaves free. But as soon as they had done so, they changed their minds and enslaved them again.

3. Freedom to fall by the sword (12-22)

God gave the disobedient king and his people freedom--freedom to fall by the sword, by plague and by famine. Zedekiah would be shown no mercy. The price of a broken promise was high.

Application: Lord, teach me your respect for people, and help me keep my promises.
One Word: Keep your promises to God