Chapter 39: The Fall of Jerusalem, Zedekiah’s Fate, and God’s Promise to the Faithful

(18 Pesukim)

The Siege: In the ninth year of King Zedekiah’s reign, during the tenth month, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his army laid siege to Jerusalem.
The breach: After nearly two years, in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, on the ninth day of the fourth month [i.e. Av], the Babylonian forces breached the city walls.
The celebration: The Babylonian officials entered Jerusalem, and the princes of the king of Babylon gathered at the Middle Gate for what seems to have been a celebratory strategy meeting; present were Nergal‑Saretzer Samgar‑Nevo (bearing names of Babylonian gods), Sarsekhim, the chief official of the royal court, Nergal‑Saretzer, the chief magician, and the rest of the Babylonian princes who took part in the campaign.

When King Zedekiah and his soldiers saw the Babylonian officials inside the city, they fled at night through a passage near the king’s garden, heading toward the Arabah [i.e. towards the Jordon].
Capture: However, the Babylonian army pursued them and captured Zedekiah on the plains of Jericho.
Brought to Nebuchadnezzar: He was taken to Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, where judgment was pronounced over him.
Sons executed: Nebuchadnezzar slaughtered the sons of Tzidkiyahu in Rivla before his eyes, Zedekiah witnessed the execution of his sons and the nobles of Judah.
Blinding Tzidkiyahu: Tzidkiyahu’s eyes were then blinded by Nebuchadnezzar, and he was bound in bronze chains and taken to Babylon.

Destruction of homes: The Babylonians burned the royal palace and the houses of the people and tore down the walls of Jerusalem.
Exiling the people: Nebuzaradan, the chief executioner, deported the remaining population, including defectors and survivors, to Babylon.
Enriching the poor of the land: However, the poorest people who had nothing were left behind in Judah, and Nebuzaradan gave them vineyards and fields.

Nebuchadnezzar issued orders concerning Yirmiyahu, instructing Nebuzaradan to take care of him and do whatever he requested.
Yirmiyahu was removed from the courtyard of the guard by Nevushazban the chief official, and Nergal Saretzer the chief magician, and all the captains of the king of Babylon. They sent him to be entrusted to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, who took him to his home.
Yirmiyahu lived among the people, no longer imprisoned.

While Yirmiyahu was still in the courtyard of the guard, the word of Hashem came to him concerning Ebed-melech, the Cushite who had rescued Yirmiyahu earlier.
God assured Ebed-melech that although disaster would come upon the city, he would be spared. He would not fall by the sword or be handed over to those he feared. His life would be preserved because he trusted in the Lord.

Yirmiyahu – Chapter 39: The Fall of Jerusalem, Zedekiah’s Fate, and God’s Promise to the Faithful