2 Kings 25:4

KJV

And the city was broken up, and all the men of war [fled] by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which [is] by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees [were] against the city round about:) and [the king] went the way toward the plain.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the city {H5892} was broken up {H1234}, and all the men {H582} of war {H4421} fled by night {H3915} by the way {H1870} of the gate {H8179} between two walls {H2346}, which is by the king's {H4428} garden {H1588}:(now the Chaldees {H3778} were against the city {H5892} round about {H5439}:) and the king went {H3212} the way {H1870} toward the plain {H6160}.

Complete Jewish Bible

they broke through into the city. All the soldiers [fled] by night through the gate between the two walls, near the king's garden. Because the Kasdim were surrounding the city, the king took the route through the 'Aravah.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah,

American Standard Version

Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king’s garden (now the Chaldeans were against the city round about); and the king went by the way of the Arabah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse vividly portrays the catastrophic breach of Jerusalem's walls by the Babylonian forces, marking the tragic culmination of a prolonged siege and the effective end of the Kingdom of Judah. It captures the desperate, nocturnal flight of King Zedekiah and his soldiers, attempting to escape through a strategic gate near the king's garden, even as the Chaldean army maintained a complete encirclement of the city. This pivotal moment signifies the profound judgment against Judah for its persistent rebellion and idolatry, ushering in the Babylonian Exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 2 Kings 25:4 is situated at the dramatic climax of the book of 2 Kings, which meticulously chronicles the decline and eventual fall of both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and, finally, the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The preceding verses detail the relentless and devastating siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's forces, culminating in severe famine and the exhaustion of the city's resources, as poignantly described in [2 Kings 25:1-3](/2_kings/25-1-3 "2 Kings 25:1-3 - The Siege and Famine in Jerusalem"). This verse describes the critical moment of the city's defenses being breached, serving as the narrative pivot point from the prolonged siege to the full execution of divine judgment. It directly precedes the capture of King Zedekiah and the subsequent destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, events powerfully narrated in [2 Kings 25:5-10](/2_kings/25-5-10 "2 Kings 25:5-10 - Capture of Zedekiah and Destruction of Jerusalem"), thus initiating the Babylonian exile. The passage underscores the fulfillment of prophetic warnings that permeate the book.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 2 Kings 25:4 transpired in 586 BC, marking the final, cataclysmic fall of Jerusalem after a siege initiated by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. King Zedekiah, installed by Babylon as a vassal king, had foolishly rebelled against his overlord, leading to this devastating siege. The "Chaldees" refer to the Neo-Babylonian Empire, the dominant geopolitical power of the ancient Near East at this time. Jerusalem, a city renowned for its fortifications and strategic hilltop location, was considered a formidable stronghold. However, prolonged siege warfare, coupled with the ravages of famine, eventually broke its defenses. The mention of "the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden" indicates a specific, likely less obvious or more discreet, escape route. Royal gardens were often located on the periphery of the main city walls, sometimes even outside them, making such a route plausible for a clandestine exit, highlighting the king's desperate attempt to evade capture and preserve the Davidic line.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes prevalent throughout 2 Kings and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **divine judgment** against Judah for its persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and rejection of prophetic warnings, particularly those delivered by Jeremiah, who had consistently urged submission to Babylon as God's instrument of judgment (e.g., [Jeremiah 27](/jeremiah/27 "Jeremiah 27 - Prophecy of Submission to Babylon")). Secondly, it emphasizes the **futility of human resistance** when God's judgment is set; despite Zedekiah's desperate escape attempt and the city's formidable defenses, it ultimately fails, leading to his capture and the tragic end of the independent Davidic monarchy in Judah. Thirdly, the breach of the city and the king's flight symbolize the **end of an era**—the definitive end of the independent kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian Exile, a pivotal and traumatic moment in Israelite history. This event serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of national disobedience and the unwavering fulfillment of God's word, whether in blessing or judgment, a theme echoed throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy "The Book of Deuteronomy - Covenant and Law").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Broken up (Hebrew, _bâqaʻ_ H1234):** This primitive root signifies "to cleave," "to rend," "to break forth (into, out, in pieces, through, up)," or "to burst." Its use here emphasizes the sudden, violent, and complete nature of the breach in Jerusalem's defenses. It conveys not merely a weakening of the walls, but a catastrophic rupture, signifying the irreversible collapse of the city's protective barriers and, by extension, the kingdom's security and sovereignty.
* **Chaldees (Hebrew, _Kasdîy_ H3778):** This term refers to the Chaldeans, who were the dominant ethnic group within the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Their presence "round about" the city underscores the complete and suffocating encirclement of Jerusalem. This detail highlights the overwhelming numerical and strategic superiority of the besieging forces, rendering any escape attempt exceedingly perilous and ultimately futile. It identifies the specific instrument of God's judgment.
* **Went (Hebrew, _yâlak_ H3212):** This primitive root means "to walk (literally or figuratively)," "to go," or "to depart." While the KJV translates it as "went," in the context of "fled by night," it captures the desperate movement of King Zedekiah. It denotes a hurried, intentional departure, albeit one born of extreme duress and fear, emphasizing the king's active, though ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to evade his captors.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the city was broken up":** This opening phrase immediately sets the scene of disaster and defeat. The passive voice indicates that Jerusalem's formidable defenses were overcome by an external, overwhelming force—the Babylonian army—signifying the end of the long and arduous siege and the fall of the capital city.
* **"and all the men of war fled by night":** Following the catastrophic breach, the military forces, including King Zedekiah himself, resorted to a desperate, clandestine escape. Fleeing "by night" emphasizes the secrecy, urgency, and shame of their attempt, hoping to evade detection by the vigilant besieging army under the cover of darkness.
* **"by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden":** This clause precisely specifies the chosen escape route. The "gate between two walls" suggests a concealed, less-guarded, or perhaps a postern gate, designed for discreet movement rather than public thoroughfare. Its proximity to "the king's garden" indicates a path known intimately to the royal household, perhaps a private exit, underscoring the king's personal involvement and the desperation of his flight.
* **"(now the Chaldees were against the city round about:)":** This crucial parenthetical clause serves as an immediate and stark contextual detail. It highlights the extreme peril of the escape attempt, emphasizing that despite finding a hidden route, the Babylonian army had completely surrounded the city. This detail dramatically underscores the near impossibility of a successful escape and ominously foreshadows Zedekiah's inevitable capture.
* **"and the king went the way toward the plain.":** This final clause identifies King Zedekiah as the central figure in this desperate flight and describes his immediate direction of travel. The "plain" (likely the Jordan Valley or the plains of Jericho to the east of Jerusalem) was a common escape route from the Judean hills, but it also offered little natural cover, making him highly vulnerable to pursuit by the swift Babylonian forces.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey the gravity and pathos of the moment. **Irony** is powerfully evident in the transformation of the "king's garden," a place typically associated with beauty, peace, and royal leisure, into the desperate backdrop for a king's ignominious flight. This stark juxtaposition highlights the complete reversal of fortune for Zedekiah and his doomed kingdom. **Foreshadowing** is strongly present in the parenthetical note that "the Chaldees were against the city round about." This seemingly incidental detail immediately signals the futility of the escape attempt, ominously hinting at the tragic capture and blinding that will inevitably follow. The breaching of the city walls and the king's desperate flight also serve as profound **Symbolism**, representing the complete collapse of Judah's sovereignty, the definitive end of the independent Davidic monarchy, and the undeniable fulfillment of long-prophesied divine judgment. The entire scene is imbued with a deep sense of **Pathos**, evoking sympathy for the desperate king and the doomed city, even as it underscores the severe consequences of disobedience and unfaithfulness to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The fall of Jerusalem and the desperate flight of King Zedekiah are not merely historical events but profound theological statements that resonate throughout biblical theology. They represent the culmination of God's covenant curses for persistent disobedience, as meticulously outlined in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")) and reiterated with increasing urgency by the prophets. Despite God's remarkable patience, His numerous warnings through His messengers, and His desire for repentance, Judah's entrenched idolatry, pervasive injustice, and consistent rejection of His word led to this devastating judgment. This event powerfully underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to His word, whether in blessing or in judgment. It serves as a stark reminder that even a chosen people, living in a city where God's temple resided, are not immune to the consequences of their actions when they turn away from Him. The fall of Jerusalem is a testament to God's justice and His ultimate control over human history.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-52](/deuteronomy/28-49-52 "Deuteronomy 28:49-52 - Prophecy of Siege and Destruction")
* [Jeremiah 39:4-5](/jeremiah/39-4-5 "Jeremiah 39:4-5 - Zedekiah's Escape and Capture")
* [Lamentations 1:3](/lamentations/1-3 "Lamentations 1:3 - Judah's Exile and Suffering")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The desperate flight of King Zedekiah from a breached Jerusalem offers a poignant and enduring lesson for all who seek to live faithfully before God. It serves as a powerful testament to the severe and inevitable consequences of ignoring divine warnings and persisting in rebellion against God's revealed will. Zedekiah's attempt to escape through a hidden gate, despite the overwhelming encirclement by the Chaldeans, symbolizes the profound futility of human ingenuity and strength when one is estranged from God's favor and facing the consequences of long-term spiritual decline. This narrative challenges us to consider our own lives: are we truly heeding God's warnings expressed in His Word, or are we, like Zedekiah, attempting to find our own "escape routes" from the consequences of our choices, rather than turning in humble and genuine repentance? The fall of Jerusalem reminds us that there are spiritual "walls" in our lives—boundaries of righteousness and obedience—that, once breached by persistent sin, can lead to devastating and unavoidable outcomes. It underscores the vital importance of humility, genuine repentance, and a steadfast commitment to seeking and obeying God's will *before* the point of no return is reached. Our ultimate security and true freedom lie not in strategic maneuvers or hidden passages, but in faithful reliance upon the Lord and obedience to His commands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be attempting to "flee by night" from consequences, rather than facing them with repentance and trust in God?**
* **How does the fall of Jerusalem, despite its perceived impregnability, challenge my assumptions about security and divine protection in my own life?**
* **What specific warnings from God's Word am I perhaps ignoring or minimizing, and what might be the long-term spiritual consequences of such neglect?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of urgency and humility in responding to God's call for repentance and obedience in my own life and in my community?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jerusalem "broken up" and what does it signify?**

Answer: Jerusalem was "broken up" because its formidable walls, after a prolonged and brutal siege by the Babylonian (Chaldean) army, were finally breached. This signifies the complete collapse of the city's defenses and its fall to the enemy, marking a devastating military defeat. Theologically, it represents the culmination of God's righteous judgment against Judah for its persistent idolatry, unfaithfulness to the covenant, and stubborn rejection of prophetic warnings. It marked the definitive end of the independent Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian Exile, a pivotal moment in Israelite history where God's people experienced the full weight of the consequences of their disobedience, as prophesied in books like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah "The Book of Jeremiah - Prophecies of Judgment and Restoration").

**What was the significance of King Zedekiah's escape attempt through "the king's garden"?**

Answer: King Zedekiah's attempt to escape through "the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden," highlights the desperation and ultimate futility of his situation. The "king's garden" likely refers to a private or less-guarded area on the city's periphery, suggesting a clandestine and strategic attempt to evade the encircling Babylonian forces. This choice of route underscores the king's personal desperation to escape his fate and preserve his life and the Davidic line. However, the parenthetical note in the verse ("now the Chaldees were against the city round about:") dramatically emphasizes that despite this seemingly clever route, the city was completely surrounded, making a successful escape nearly impossible. This futile attempt foreshadows his inevitable capture, as detailed in [2 Kings 25:5](/2_kings/25-5 "2 Kings 25:5 - Zedekiah's Capture"), and serves as a powerful symbol of human weakness and the inability to escape divine judgment through one's own efforts or cleverness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic fall of Jerusalem and the desperate, futile flight of King Zedekiah, while a stark testament to divine judgment against sin and human rebellion, ultimately point forward to the ultimate King and the ultimate deliverance found in Jesus Christ. Zedekiah's ignominious escape attempt, leading to his capture, blinding, and the end of his reign, stands in profound contrast to the voluntary, purposeful "flight" of Christ to the cross. While Zedekiah fled from an earthly enemy in a futile attempt to save his own life, Jesus, the true King of Israel and the Son of David, willingly laid down His life, not to escape judgment, but to bear the judgment for humanity's sin (e.g., [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). The breached walls of Jerusalem symbolize the brokenness, vulnerability, and spiritual death of a humanity separated from God by sin—a condition that Christ came to mend and overcome. He is the one who, unlike Zedekiah, truly escapes the power of death through His glorious resurrection, offering true freedom and an unshakeable, eternal kingdom to all who believe (e.g., [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Deliverance from Darkness to Light")). The judgment poured out on Jerusalem, though severe, foreshadows the greater judgment against sin that Christ absorbed on the cross, becoming the ultimate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, providing an escape not from earthly enemies, but from eternal condemnation (e.g., [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). In Christ, the "gate" is not one of desperate escape from impending doom, but rather the very means of abundant life and direct access to the Father (e.g., [John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Gate")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 33:21

¶ And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth [month], in the fifth [day] of the month, [that] one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.

Deuteronomy 28:25

The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

Nehemiah 3:15

But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.

Leviticus 26:36

And upon them that are left [alive] of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.

Jeremiah 5:10

¶ Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they [are] not the LORD'S.

Deuteronomy 32:24

[They shall be] burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.

Deuteronomy 32:25

The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling [also] with the man of gray hairs.