1. Three kings spiral downward (1-10)

After his father King Josiah died in battle, his son Jehoahaz reigned for three months before being dethroned by the king of Egypt. The following two kings Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin do evil in God's eyes and are taken in shackles to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar, along with the valuable items in the temple.

2. Zedekiah did not humble himself (11-14)

The Chronicler notes that the last king Zedekiah did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the word of the Lord. When he didn't listen to Jeremiah, he had no shepherd and no word of God to guide him. He rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, became stiff-necked, hardened his heart, and would not return to the Lord. Furthermore, the leaders, priests and people became more unfaithful, returning to idol worship and defiling the temple.


Application: Lord, please help our nation to humble ourselves, listen to your word, and return to you.
One Word: Be humble and listen to God's word.