2 Kings 24:2

And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.

And the LORD {H3068} sent {H7971} against him bands {H1416} of the Chaldees {H3778}, and bands {H1416} of the Syrians {H758}, and bands {H1416} of the Moabites {H4124}, and bands {H1416} of the children {H1121} of Ammon {H5983}, and sent {H7971} them against Judah {H3063} to destroy {H6} it, according to the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, which he spake {H1696} by {H3027} his servants {H5650} the prophets {H5030}.

ADONAI sent against him raiding parties from the Kasdim, Aram, Mo'av and the people of 'Amon; he sent them against Y'hudah to destroy it, in keeping with the word of ADONAI which he had spoken through his servants the prophets.

And the LORD sent Chaldean, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders against Jehoiakim in order to destroy Judah, according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servants the prophets.

And Jehovah sent against him bands of the Chaldeans, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spake by his servants the prophets.

Commentary

2 Kings 24:2 KJV: "And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets."

Context

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the final years of the Kingdom of Judah, during the reign of King Jehoiakim. Following his decision to rebel against King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (as mentioned in 2 Kings 24:1), God's judgment begins to unfold. The "him" in the verse refers to Jehoiakim. The text explicitly states that the LORD Himself "sent" these various raiding parties, emphasizing divine sovereignty over geopolitical events. These were not merely random attacks but divinely orchestrated instruments of judgment against a disobedient nation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The verse powerfully asserts that God is actively involved in human history, orchestrating even destructive events to achieve His purposes. The "bands" or raiding parties from various nations—the Chaldeans (Babylonians), Syrians, Moabites, and Ammonites—are depicted not as independent aggressors but as tools in God's hand to execute His judgment upon Judah.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: A central theme is the fulfillment of God's word spoken through His prophets. The phrase "according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets" highlights that Judah's destruction was not arbitrary but a direct consequence of their persistent sin and a testament to God's unwavering commitment to fulfill His prophetic warnings. Prophets like Jeremiah had repeatedly warned Judah of impending invasion and exile if they did not repent.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse serves as a stark reminder that disobedience to God's covenant has severe consequences. Judah's idolatry, moral corruption, and rejection of prophetic warnings ultimately led to this divine punishment, underscoring the severe consequences of persistent disobedience to God's covenant.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "sent" is shalach (שָׁלַח), which implies a deliberate dispatch or sending forth with a specific purpose. This reinforces the idea of God's direct agency rather than mere allowance of events.
  • "Bands" comes from the Hebrew word gedud (גְּדוּד), often referring to raiding parties or troops, sometimes irregular or mercenary, which would harass and weaken a nation through repeated incursions before a full-scale invasion.

Significance and Application

2 Kings 24:2 teaches us about God's justice, His faithfulness to His word, and His sovereignty over nations. It reminds us that God's warnings are not idle threats but expressions of His character and commitments. For believers today, this verse underscores the importance of heeding God's commands and recognizing that actions have consequences, both individually and nationally. It also offers assurance that God remains in control of history, even amidst chaos and judgment, working all things according to His divine plan.

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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

  • Jeremiah 35:11 (6 votes)

    But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem.

  • 2 Kings 23:27 (4 votes)

    And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.

  • Ezekiel 19:8 (3 votes)

    Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit.

  • 2 Kings 20:17 (3 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 32:28 (3 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it:

  • 2 Kings 21:12 (3 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I [am] bringing [such] evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.

  • 2 Kings 21:14 (3 votes)

    And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;