2 Kings 24:10

10-13. At that time—within three months after his accession to the throne. It was the spring of the year (2 Chronicles 36:10); so early did he indicate a feeling hostile to the interests of his Assyrian liege lord, by forming a league with Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar sent his generals to besiege Jerusalem, as Jeremiah had foretold (Jeremiah 22:28; Jeremiah 34:20), and soon after he followed in person. Convinced of the hopelessness of making any effectual resistance, Jehoiachin, going to the camp of the besiegers, surrendered (2 Kings 24:12), in the expectation, probably, of being allowed to retain his throne as a vassal of the Assyrian empire. But Nebuchadnezzar's clemency towards the kings of Judah was now exhausted, so that Jehoiachin was sent as a captive to Babylon, according to Jeremiah's prediction (2 Kings 24:12- :), accompanied by the queen mother (the same who had held that dignity under Jehoahaz) (2 Kings 24:12- :), his generals, and officers. This happened in the eighth year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, computing from the time when he was associated with his father in the government. Those that were left consisted chiefly of the poorer sort of people and the unskilled workmen. The palace and the temple were ransacked. The smaller golden vessels had been taken on the first capture of Jerusalem and placed by Nebuchadnezzar in the temple of his god as tokens of victory. They were used by Belshazzar at his impious feast [2 Kings 24:12- :], for the purpose of rewarding his army with these trophies, among which were probably the golden candlesticks, the ark, c. (compare 2 Chronicles 36:7 Daniel 1:2). Now the gold plating was torn off all the larger temple furniture.