In his trial it was shown that his solemn oath of allegiance to the Chaldeans had been broken, thus showing himself a traitor (IT Chron. 36:13). As a punishment for his treachery, his sons were slain before him, his eyes put out (v. 7). and he himself carried to Babylon, where he remained a prisoner till his death (Jer. 52:11). In this we have a marvelous fulfillment of prophecy (Ezekiel 12:3) which says that Zedekiah shall be taken to Babylon and die there and yet not see the city. Let us learn from this that that which God says will surely come to pass, even though we cannot explain its details.
III. The Destruction of the City (vv. 8-10). Not only were the people taken captive, but the city itself was subjected to the utmost rigors of war. They plundered the house of the Lord, the palace and the houses of the rich, and then consigned them to the flames (v. 0). They even broke down the walls of Jerusalem (v. 10) and massacred many of the people (Dm, IV. Disposition of the Inhabitants and the Contents of the Temple (vv. 11-21). 1. The inhabitants, 11, 12. 