2 Kings 25:5

KJV

And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the army {H2428} of the Chaldees {H3778} pursued {H7291} after {H310} the king {H4428}, and overtook {H5381} him in the plains {H6160} of Jericho {H3405}: and all his army {H2428} were scattered {H6327} from him.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the army of the Kasdim went in pursuit of the king and overtook him on the plains near Yericho; all his troops deserted him.

Berean Standard Bible

but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and all his army was separated from him.

American Standard Version

But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse vividly recounts the climactic and tragic capture of King Zedekiah by the relentless Babylonian army in the historically resonant plains of Jericho. It signifies the definitive end of the Kingdom of Judah's independence, the collapse of the Davidic monarchy's direct rule, and the commencement of the Babylonian exile for its leadership. This pivotal event serves as a stark culmination of Judah's persistent rebellion against God and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings, symbolizing the nation's profound spiritual and political downfall.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the dramatic climax of the final siege of Jerusalem, as detailed in [2 Kings 25:1-4](/2_kings/25-1-4 "2 Kings 25:1-4 - The Siege and Breach of Jerusalem"). After an arduous siege lasting over a year, the city's defenses were finally breached. [King Zedekiah](/2_kings/24-18 "2 Kings 24:18 - Zedekiah's Reign and Rebellion") and his remaining soldiers, recognizing the futility of further resistance, attempted a desperate escape under the cover of darkness. Their route led them through the king's garden and out a gate between the two walls, aiming to reach the Arabah, or Jordan Valley, and perhaps find refuge across the Jordan River. However, their flight was quickly detected, and the relentless Babylonian forces, identified as "the Chaldees," immediately gave chase, setting the stage for their inevitable capture. This verse directly follows the breach of the city walls and precedes Zedekiah's judgment and the brutal consequences detailed in [2 Kings 25:6-7](/2_kings/25-6-7 "2 Kings 25:6-7 - Zedekiah's Judgment and Blinding").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile") unfold against the backdrop of a tumultuous geopolitical landscape dominated by the Neo-Babylonian Empire under [King Nebuchadnezzar II](/2_kings/24-1 "2 Kings 24:1 - Nebuchadnezzar's First Campaign Against Judah"). Judah had become a vassal state to Babylon, but Zedekiah, despite solemn oaths of loyalty, rebelled, seeking alliance with Egypt. This rebellion directly provoked Babylon's final, devastating siege of Jerusalem. The "Chaldees" were the dominant ethnic group within the Babylonian Empire, renowned for their military prowess and strategic acumen. The "plains of Jericho" holds immense historical and symbolic weight for Israel, being the very place where Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land after their exodus, marking the beginning of their national identity ([Joshua 4:13](/joshua/4-13 "Joshua 4:13 - Crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land")). For Zedekiah to be captured here, on the threshold of escape, ironically mirrors the entry, now signifying a tragic exit and the loss of the land, fulfilling ancient curses for disobedience ([Deuteronomy 28:64-68](/deuteronomy/28-64-68 "Deuteronomy 28:64-68 - Curses of Exile and Dispersion")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes central to the books of Kings and the Deuteronomistic history. Firstly, it highlights the **Consequences of Disobedience**, particularly Zedekiah's repeated rebellion against both the Babylonian overlord and, more critically, against the divine warnings delivered through prophets like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/32-3 "Jeremiah 32:3 - Jeremiah's Prophecy to Zedekiah"). His refusal to heed God's call for submission to Babylon, despite clear prophetic instruction, led directly to this catastrophic downfall, illustrating the dire outcome of rejecting divine counsel and covenant obligations ([Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses of the Covenant")). Secondly, the event is a stark demonstration of **Divine Judgment**. The capture of the king and the scattering of his army are not merely military misfortunes but are presented as the inevitable outworking of God's righteous judgment upon Judah for centuries of persistent idolatry, social injustice, and spiritual unfaithfulness. This moment fulfills numerous prophecies concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people, affirming God's sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice ([Isaiah 39:6-7](/isaiah/39-6-7 "Isaiah 39:6-7 - Prophecy of Babylonian Exile")). Finally, [2 Kings 25:5](/2_kings/25-5 "2 Kings 25:5 - Zedekiah's Capture") signifies **The End of an Era**. The capture of the last Davidic king in Judah and the dispersal of his forces mark the definitive suspension of the Davidic monarchy's independent rule. It ushers in the period of the Babylonian exile, a seventy-year captivity foretold by [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of 70 Years Exile"), fundamentally transforming Israel's national and religious identity from an independent kingdom to a people in diaspora, awaiting future restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chaldees (Hebrew, _Kasdîy'_):** This term refers to the inhabitants of Chaldea, a region in southern Mesopotamia that became the heartland of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. In biblical texts, "Chaldeans" often serves as a synonym for "Babylonians," emphasizing their ethnic origin and military might. Their presence here signifies the overwhelming power and relentless pursuit of Nebuchadnezzar's army, acting as God's instrument of judgment against Judah.
* **Overtook (Hebrew, _nâsag'_):** This verb, derived from the root H5381, means "to reach," "to attain," or "to catch up with." In this context, it conveys the swift and inevitable capture of Zedekiah. Despite his desperate attempt to escape under the cover of night, the superior organization and speed of the Chaldean forces ensured that his flight was futile. The word highlights the inescapable nature of the judgment unfolding upon the king and his kingdom.
* **Scattered (Hebrew, _pûwts'_):** The Hebrew verb H6327 means "to dash in pieces," "to break in pieces," or "to disperse." Here, it describes the complete disintegration and demoralization of Zedekiah's army. This is not merely a retreat but a total rout, where soldiers abandon their king and flee in every direction, signifying the utter collapse of Judah's military and the final abandonment of their leadership. It underscores the profound defeat and the end of any organized resistance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king":** This clause immediately follows Zedekiah's desperate escape from Jerusalem. The "army of the Chaldees" denotes the disciplined and formidable forces of Babylon, acting under divine permission to execute judgment. Their "pursuit" indicates a swift and determined chase, leaving no chance for the king and his entourage to escape undetected or outrun them. It emphasizes the relentless nature of the impending doom and the futility of Zedekiah's flight.
* **"and overtook him in the plains of Jericho":** The location of the capture is highly significant. The "plains of Jericho" are geographically suited for such an interception, being a relatively flat and open area after descending from the Judean hills towards the Jordan Valley. Symbolically, Jericho was the first city conquered by Israel upon entering the Promised Land under Joshua, a place of miraculous victory and the beginning of their inheritance. Now, it becomes the place of their king's capture, symbolizing the reversal of fortune, the loss of the land, and the end of their independent national existence.
* **"and all his army were scattered from him":** This final clause vividly portrays the complete collapse of Zedekiah's military support. The term "scattered" implies a chaotic and uncontrolled dispersal, a complete rout where soldiers abandon their posts and their king. This abandonment underscores Zedekiah's isolation and helplessness, signifying the utter failure of his leadership and the final, irreversible defeat of Judah's armed forces. It marks the end of any organized resistance and the king's vulnerability to his captors.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [2 Kings 25:5](/2_kings/25-5 "2 Kings 25:5 - Zedekiah's Capture") employs several potent **literary devices** to amplify its theological and historical weight. Foremost is the profound **Irony** of Zedekiah's capture in the "plains of Jericho." This location, historically significant as the entry point for Israel into the Promised Land under Joshua, a place of miraculous divine intervention and the initial triumph of God's people, now becomes the site of their king's capture and the symbolic exit from the land. This reversal of fortune underscores the tragic consequences of Judah's unfaithfulness. The scattering of Zedekiah's army also serves as powerful **Symbolism** for the complete disintegration of the kingdom itself. Just as the army, the very embodiment of national defense, is broken and dispersed, so too is the nation of Judah about to be scattered in exile. Furthermore, the relentless pursuit and inevitable capture of Zedekiah **foreshadow** his ultimate, tragic fate detailed in [2 Kings 25:6-7](/2_kings/25-6-7 "2 Kings 25:6-7 - Zedekiah's Judgment"), where his sons are executed and his own eyes are put out. This swift and decisive capture sets the stage for the graphic depiction of the final, brutal judgment upon the last king of Judah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The capture of King Zedekiah in [2 Kings 25:5](/2_kings/25-5 "2 Kings 25:5 - Zedekiah's Capture") stands as a profound theological statement within the Deuteronomistic history. It is not merely a historical account of military defeat but a vivid demonstration of God's sovereign control over nations and His unwavering commitment to His covenant, both its blessings and its curses. This event is the culmination of centuries of prophetic warnings, illustrating that persistent disobedience, idolatry, and rejection of divine counsel inevitably lead to divine judgment. Zedekiah's desperate flight and subsequent capture underscore the futility of human efforts to escape God's decreed will when a nation has strayed so far from His path. It serves as a powerful reminder that God holds even kings and kingdoms accountable, fulfilling His word even through the actions of pagan empires like Babylon.

* [Jeremiah 39:5](/jeremiah/39-5 "Jeremiah 39:5 - Zedekiah's Capture and Trial")
* [Jeremiah 52:8](/jeremiah/52-8 "Jeremiah 52:8 - Parallel Account of Zedekiah's Capture")
* [2 Kings 25:7](/2_kings/25-7 "2 Kings 25:7 - Zedekiah's Punishment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dramatic account of Zedekiah's capture in [2 Kings 25:5](/2_kings/25-5 "2 Kings 25:5 - Zedekiah's Capture") offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a stark reminder that ignoring divine warnings and persisting in rebellion, whether personal or corporate, carries severe consequences. Zedekiah's refusal to heed the prophet Jeremiah's counsel, which was God's very word to him, led to his downfall and the devastation of his kingdom. This narrative challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility and obedience, diligently seeking and submitting to God's revealed will, even when it is difficult or unpopular. It underscores the reality of God's justice and sovereignty, reminding us that He is actively involved in human history, bringing about His purposes even through seemingly adverse circumstances. While this passage highlights judgment, it also implicitly calls us to repentance and faithfulness, recognizing that God's ultimate desire is for His people to walk in righteousness and experience His blessings, not His discipline.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting or ignoring divine counsel, similar to Zedekiah?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty in judgment, as seen in this passage, shape my trust in His overall plan for my life and the world?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater humility and obedience to God's word, even when it requires personal sacrifice?**

### FAQ
**Why was Zedekiah captured specifically in the plains of Jericho?**

Answer: Zedekiah's capture in the plains of Jericho carries profound symbolic weight. Geographically, it was a logical place for the Babylonians to intercept a fleeing party attempting to reach the Jordan Valley from Jerusalem. However, biblically, Jericho was the first city in the Promised Land conquered by the Israelites under Joshua, marking their triumphant entry and the beginning of their inheritance ([Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho")). For the last king of Judah to be captured at this very location signifies a tragic reversal of fortune. It symbolizes the end of Israel's independent national existence in the land, a bitter "exit" mirroring the glorious "entry" centuries before, and underscores the fulfillment of the covenant curses for disobedience, leading to exile from the land God had given them ([Deuteronomy 28:63-68](/deuteronomy/28-63-68 "Deuteronomy 28:63-68 - Exile from the Land")).

**What was Zedekiah's ultimate fate after his capture?**

Answer: After being captured in the plains of Jericho, Zedekiah was brought before [King Nebuchadnezzar](/2_kings/25-6 "2 Kings 25:6 - Zedekiah brought before Nebuchadnezzar") at Riblah, where he faced a severe judgment. In a horrific display of retribution, his sons were executed before his very eyes. Immediately after witnessing this, Zedekiah himself was blinded, preventing him from ever seeing again, a cruel and final image of his sons' demise. He was then bound in bronze chains and taken as a prisoner to Babylon, where he remained until his death ([2 Kings 25:7](/2_kings/25-7 "2 Kings 25:7 - Zedekiah's Punishment")). This brutal fate served as a stark warning against rebellion and fulfilled numerous prophecies regarding the end of the Davidic monarchy's independent rule in Judah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of [2 Kings 25:5](/2_kings/25-5 "2 Kings 25:5 - Zedekiah's Capture"), depicting the utter failure of human kingship and the devastating consequences of national rebellion against God, finds its ultimate fulfillment and redemptive reversal in Jesus Christ. Zedekiah, a king who failed to heed divine warnings and led his people into exile, stands in stark contrast to Jesus, the true and faithful King, who perfectly obeyed the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). While Zedekiah's army scattered from him in his moment of defeat, Jesus, through His sacrificial death, gathers a new army of believers from every nation, uniting them under His eternal reign ([John 12:32](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - Jesus Drawing All People")). The judgment that fell upon Judah for its sin, culminating in exile, foreshadows the ultimate judgment against sin that Christ bore on the cross, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His suffering and "exile" from the Father's presence on the cross paved the way for a new covenant, offering forgiveness and restoration to all who believe, fulfilling the promise of a righteous King who would truly deliver His people, not into earthly freedom, but into eternal life and an everlasting kingdom ([Jeremiah 33:15-16](/jeremiah/33-15-16 "Jeremiah 33:15-16 - The Righteous Branch"); [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant")). In Christ, the brokenness symbolized by Zedekiah's capture is overcome by the triumph of God's redemptive plan.

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

Amos 2:14

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:

Amos 2:16

And [he that is] courageous among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 39:5

But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.

Jeremiah 52:8

But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.

Jeremiah 24:8

And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:

Isaiah 30:16

But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.