2 Kings 25:6

KJV

So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him.

KJV (with Strong's)

So they took {H8610} the king {H4428}, and brought him up {H5927} to the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} to Riblah {H7247}; and they gave {H1696} judgment {H4941} upon him.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they took the king and brought him up to the king of Bavel in Rivlah, where they passed judgment on him.

Berean Standard Bible

The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, where they pronounced judgment on him.

American Standard Version

Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 25:6 records the grim culmination of King Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon and, by extension, against God's prophetic word. Following Jerusalem's devastating siege and fall, the captured king, Judah's last reigning monarch, is brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah. There, a formal "judgment" is pronounced upon him, a prelude to the horrific punishments detailed in the subsequent verse, marking the definitive end of the independent Davidic monarchy in Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of the book of 2 Kings, which meticulously chronicles the decline and eventual destruction of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Chapter 25 opens with the final, brutal siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's forces, detailing the city's starvation and eventual breach of its walls ([2 Kings 25:1-4](/2_kings/25-1 "2 Kings 25:1-4 - The Siege and Fall of Jerusalem")). Zedekiah's desperate attempt to flee is recounted in [2 Kings 25:5](/2_kings/25-5 "2 Kings 25:5 - Zedekiah's Capture"), leading directly to his capture in the plains of Jericho. Verse 6 then describes his formal presentation before the Babylonian king, setting the stage for the severe punishment detailed in [2 Kings 25:7](/2_kings/25-7 "2 Kings 25:7 - Zedekiah's Tragic End"), which includes the execution of his sons and his own blinding. This sequence of events serves as the narrative's tragic crescendo, demonstrating the fulfillment of prophetic warnings and the devastating consequences of Judah's persistent sin.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 2 Kings 25:6 unfold in 586 BC, during the zenith of the Neo-Babylonian Empire's power under King Nebuchadnezzar II. Judah had been reduced to a Babylonian vassal state after the first deportation in 597 BC, with Zedekiah installed as a puppet king. His rebellion, fueled by false hopes and alliances, violated his sworn oath to Nebuchadnezzar, a grave offense in ancient Near Eastern political culture. Riblah, located in the land of Hamath (modern-day Syria), was a strategically vital military headquarters for Nebuchadnezzar. Its location on the main north-south trade route allowed the Babylonian king to oversee campaigns against Egypt and control rebellious territories in the Levant without having to return to Babylon. Bringing Zedekiah to Riblah for judgment underscored Nebuchadnezzar's absolute authority and the public humiliation of the defeated king, serving as a stark warning to other potential rebels. The "judgment" was not a trial in the modern sense but a pronouncement of a conqueror's decree, an act of political retribution for treason.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 2 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequences of Disobedience**. Zedekiah's capture and sentencing are presented not merely as a political defeat but as God's righteous judgment upon Judah for its persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and rejection of prophetic warnings, particularly those delivered through [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah"). The narrative emphasizes God's **Sovereignty over Nations and Kings**, demonstrating that even powerful empires like Babylon were instruments in His hands to fulfill His purposes of discipline and exile, as prophesied in passages like [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Exile"). Finally, this verse marks the definitive **End of an Era** for the independent Davidic monarchy and the Kingdom of Judah, ushering in the long and painful period of the Babylonian exile, a theme profoundly lamented in the book of [Lamentations](/lamentations/1 "The Book of Lamentations").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Took (לקח, _laqach_):** This Hebrew verb signifies "to take," "to seize," or "to capture." In this context, it emphasizes the forceful, decisive act of apprehending King Zedekiah, highlighting his utter powerlessness and the abrupt end of his attempted escape. It conveys the finality of his capture, leaving no room for further evasion.
* **Judgment (מִשְׁפָּט, _mishpat_):** While _mishpat_ can refer to "justice," "ordinance," or "legal right," here it denotes a "judicial decision," a "verdict," or a "sentence." In the context of a conquering power, it signifies a formal pronouncement of punishment rather than a fair trial. It underscores the official, authoritative nature of Nebuchadnezzar's decree against Zedekiah, emphasizing that this was a deliberate and calculated act of state, not merely an arbitrary act of violence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So they took the king,"**: This phrase refers to the Babylonian forces who successfully apprehended Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, as described in the preceding verse. The immediate capture of the king signals the complete collapse of Judah's resistance and the end of its sovereignty. Zedekiah, once the reigning monarch, is now a helpless captive.
* **"and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah;"**: This clause specifies Zedekiah's destination and the authority figure he was presented before. "Brought him up" implies a formal presentation of a captive to a superior. Riblah served as Nebuchadnezzar's strategic military headquarters in Syria, making it the central point for administering justice and managing military operations in the western part of his empire. This location emphasizes the public and official nature of Zedekiah's impending fate, far from the privacy of a prison cell.
* **"and they gave judgment upon him."**: This final clause indicates that a formal pronouncement of his fate was made. The "judgment" was not a trial for justice but a verdict delivered by the conquering king, Nebuchadnezzar, against a rebellious vassal. It was a declaration of punishment for Zedekiah's treason against Babylon, a severe and binding decree that would determine his immediate and tragic future.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 2 Kings 25:6 employs several literary devices to convey its profound significance. **Foreshadowing** is evident as this verse sets the stage for the horrific details of Zedekiah's punishment in the very next verse ([2 Kings 25:7](/2_kings/25-7 "2 Kings 25:7 - Zedekiah's Tragic End")), building suspense and dread for the reader. There is a strong element of **Irony** in Zedekiah's capture; his desperate flight, intended to save his life and preserve his freedom, leads him directly into the hands of his captors and to a public, humiliating judgment, rather than a discreet end. Furthermore, Riblah itself functions as a **Symbol** of Babylonian power and Judah's utter subjugation. It is not merely a geographical location but a place where the might of the empire is displayed, and the fate of rebellious kings is sealed, thus symbolizing the complete reversal of Judah's fortunes and the fulfillment of divine warnings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The capture and judgment of King Zedekiah in 2 Kings 25:6 serve as a stark theological statement on the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and the unwavering nature of divine justice. This event is not merely a historical record of political defeat but a profound illustration of God's sovereignty over human affairs, even when executed through the hands of pagan empires. Zedekiah's rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar was simultaneously a rebellion against God's revealed will, as conveyed through the prophet Jeremiah, who consistently urged submission to Babylon as God's instrument of judgment. His fate underscores the principle that actions have consequences, and persistent disobedience to divine warnings ultimately leads to severe outcomes. The collapse of the Davidic monarchy, symbolized by Zedekiah's humiliation, highlights the temporary nature of human kingdoms and points to the need for a more enduring, righteous rule.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-57](/deuteronomy/28-49 "Deuteronomy 28:49-57 - Warnings of Invasion and Siege")
* [Jeremiah 39:4-7](/jeremiah/39-4 "Jeremiah 39:4-7 - Zedekiah's Capture and Punishment")
* [Lamentations 4:17-20](/lamentations/4-17 "Lamentations 4:17-20 - The Capture of Zedekiah and the End of Judah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic account of King Zedekiah's capture and judgment in 2 Kings 25:6 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that even those in positions of leadership are accountable for their choices, and that rebellion against God's revealed will, whether through explicit disobedience or subtle disregard for His warnings, carries severe consequences. Zedekiah's story challenges us to examine our own lives: are we truly listening to God's voice, as revealed in Scripture and through faithful counsel, or are we, like Zedekiah, pursuing our own plans in defiance of divine wisdom? This passage calls us to cultivate a posture of humility and obedience, recognizing that true freedom and blessing are found not in self-reliance or political maneuvering, but in faithful submission to the Lordship of God. It also reminds us that God's justice, though sometimes slow, is ultimately inescapable, and His purposes will prevail, even through the most painful and seemingly chaotic circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Zedekiah's fate challenge our understanding of spiritual authority and accountability, particularly for those in leadership?**
* **In what ways might we, like Zedekiah, be tempted to disregard divine warnings or spiritual counsel in our own lives?**
* **What does this passage teach us about God's sovereignty, even in moments of profound human failure and suffering?**

### FAQ
**Why was Riblah chosen as the place for judgment?**

Answer: Riblah was chosen due to its strategic importance as Nebuchadnezzar's primary military headquarters in the Levant. Located in the land of Hamath, it was a convenient and central location for the Babylonian king to oversee his campaigns against Egypt and to manage the affairs of his western territories without having to return to Babylon. Bringing Zedekiah to Riblah served multiple purposes: it demonstrated Nebuchadnezzar's absolute authority, publicly humiliated the rebellious vassal king, and sent a clear message to other potential rebels in the region about the consequences of defying Babylonian rule. It was a place of military power and political decree.

**What was the nature of the "judgment" given to Zedekiah?**

Answer: The "judgment" given to Zedekiah was not a fair trial in the modern sense of a legal process designed to ascertain guilt or innocence based on evidence. Instead, it was a formal pronouncement of a conqueror's decree, a verdict of punishment issued by Nebuchadnezzar, the victorious king, against his rebellious vassal. Zedekiah was already considered guilty of treason for breaking his oath of allegiance to Babylon ([2 Kings 24:20](/2_kings/24-20 "2 Kings 24:20 - Zedekiah's Rebellion")). The judgment was a declaration of the severe consequences for his defiance, which included the execution of his sons and his own blinding, as detailed in [2 Kings 25:7](/2_kings/25-7 "2 Kings 25:7 - Zedekiah's Tragic End")). It was an act of political retribution and a display of imperial power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic judgment of King Zedekiah in 2 Kings 25:6, marking the ignominious end of the Davidic monarchy's independent reign, powerfully anticipates the ultimate need for a perfect, eternal King. Zedekiah's failure to heed divine warnings and his subsequent capture and humiliation highlight the inherent weakness and unreliability of human kingship, even that established by God. Unlike Zedekiah, who faced judgment for his rebellion, Jesus Christ, the true Son of David and the King of Kings, willingly submitted to judgment not for His own sin, but for the sins of humanity. He was "taken" by human hands, brought before earthly authorities, and received a "judgment" that was unjust but ultimately redemptive ([Matthew 27:27-31](/matthew/27-27 "Matthew 27:27-31 - Jesus Mocked by Soldiers")). While Zedekiah's judgment led to blindness and captivity, Christ's judgment led to the opening of spiritual eyes and freedom from sin's bondage for all who believe ([John 9:39](/john/9-39 "John 9:39 - Jesus Comes for Judgment")). The end of Judah's kingdom under Zedekiah points to the inauguration of an everlasting kingdom under Christ, a kingdom "not of this world" yet destined to triumph over all earthly powers ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). He is the one who truly fulfills the Davidic covenant, not through earthly might and political maneuvering, but through sacrificial love and resurrection power, establishing a reign that will never end ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Angel Gabriel's Prophecy to Mary")).

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

2 Kings 23:33

And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.

Jeremiah 34:21

And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes will I give into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which are gone up from you.

Jeremiah 34:22

Behold, I will command, saith the LORD, and cause them to return to this city; and they shall fight against it, and take it, and burn it with fire: and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation without an inhabitant.

Jeremiah 38:23

So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.

Ezekiel 21:25

And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity [shall have] an end,

Ezekiel 21:27

I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no [more], until he come whose right it is; and I will give it [him].

Jeremiah 32:4

And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;