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2 Kings 24:13

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And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.

And he carried out {H3318} thence all the treasures {H214} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, and the treasures {H214} of the king's {H4428} house {H1004}, and cut in pieces {H7112} all the vessels {H3627} of gold {H2091} which Solomon {H8010} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478} had made {H6213} in the temple {H1964} of the LORD {H3068}, as the LORD {H3068} had said {H1696}.

He also carried away from there all the treasures in the house of ADONAI and the treasures in the royal palace. He cut in pieces all the articles of gold which Shlomo king of Isra'el had made in the temple of ADONAI, as ADONAI had said would happen.

As the LORD had declared, Nebuchadnezzar also carried off all the treasures from the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he cut into pieces all the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD.

And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of Jehovah, and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold, which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of Jehovah, as Jehovah had said.

Commentary

2 Kings 24:13 details a pivotal moment in the history of Judah, marking a significant step towards the complete destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. This verse describes the plunder of the sacred temple and the king's palace by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, a direct consequence of Judah's persistent rebellion against God.

Context

This verse is set during the reign of King Jehoiachin of Judah (also known as Jeconiah or Coniah), who reigned for only three months and ten days in Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:8). Following a siege, Jehoiachin, his mother, servants, princes, and officers surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:12). This was not the final fall of Jerusalem, but the first major deportation of its elite and skilled workers, alongside the plundering of its most valuable treasures. It laid the groundwork for the eventual seventy-year exile prophesied by Jeremiah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Prophetic Fulfillment: The crucial phrase "as the LORD had said" underscores that this plundering was not merely an act of war by a foreign power, but a divinely ordained judgment. Generations earlier, prophets like Isaiah had foretold the removal of Jerusalem's treasures and people to Babylon (2 Kings 20:17). This event serves as a stark reminder of God's faithfulness to His warnings and His sovereignty over nations and history.
  • Desecration of Sacred Space: The "treasures of the house of the LORD" and the "vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple" were not just valuable items; they were consecrated for divine service. Their removal and destruction represented a profound desecration of God's dwelling place on earth and a public humiliation of His people. These vessels were part of the magnificent temple built by King Solomon and dedicated to the Lord.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The repeated idolatry, injustice, and unfaithfulness of Judah's kings and people ultimately led to this severe punishment. God had long warned His people through the Mosaic Law and numerous prophets about the consequences of breaking their covenant with Him, including exile and the destruction of their holy places (Deuteronomy 28:49-52).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "cut in pieces" translates the Hebrew verb root *qatzatz* (קצץ), which means "to cut off," "to cut down," or "to cut into pieces." This is significant because it implies a deliberate act of destruction, not merely the removal of whole items for transport. The gold vessels were not just looted; they were systematically broken, symbolizing the shattering of Judah's glory and its covenant relationship with God in that era.

Practical Application

The events of 2 Kings 24:13 offer several timeless lessons:

  • God's Word is True: The fulfillment of ancient prophecies, even those detailing dire consequences, demonstrates the absolute reliability and authority of God's word. What God declares, He will bring to pass.
  • Consequences of Unfaithfulness: This historical account serves as a powerful testament to the seriousness of sin and the consequences of persistent disobedience to God. While God is merciful, He is also just, and He will not tolerate unrighteousness indefinitely.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even in the face of devastating national defeat and the desecration of sacred objects, God remains sovereign. He uses human rulers and historical events to accomplish His divine purposes, including judgment and the eventual restoration of His people.
  • Enduring Hope: While this verse portrays a moment of loss and despair, it is crucial to remember that the Babylonian exile was a period of discipline, not ultimate abandonment. God's plan for His people endured, leading eventually to their return and the coming of the Messiah.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 39:6 (5 votes)

    Behold, the days come, that all that [is] in thine house, and [that] which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

  • 2 Kings 20:17 (5 votes)

    Behold, the days come, that all that [is] in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 20:5 (4 votes)

    Moreover I will deliver all the strength of this city, and all the labours thereof, and all the precious things thereof, and all the treasures of the kings of Judah will I give into the hand of their enemies, which shall spoil them, and take them, and carry them to Babylon.

  • 1 Kings 7:48 (4 votes)

    ¶ And Solomon made all the vessels that [pertained] unto the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the shewbread [was],

  • 1 Kings 7:50 (4 votes)

    And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers [of] pure gold; and the hinges [of] gold, [both] for the doors of the inner house, the most holy [place, and] for the doors of the house, [to wit], of the temple.

  • Daniel 5:2 (3 votes)

    Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which [was] in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.

  • Daniel 5:3 (3 votes)

    Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which [was] at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.