2 Kings 25:28 kjv
And he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon;
2 Kings 25:28 nkjv
He spoke kindly to him, and gave him a more prominent seat than those of the kings who were with him in Babylon.
2 Kings 25:28 niv
He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honor higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon.
2 Kings 25:28 esv
And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon.
2 Kings 25:28 nlt
He spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and gave him a higher place than all the other exiled kings in Babylon.
2 Kings 25 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 52:31-34 | And it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year... King Evil-Merodach... lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison... | Parallel account, details Jehoiachin's release and elevated status. |
| Lam 3:31-32 | For the Lord will not cast off forever, for though He brings grief, yet He will have compassion... | God's ultimate compassion and hope after affliction. |
| Ps 30:5 | ...weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. | Foreshadows an eventual reversal of misfortune and sorrow. |
| Ps 126:1 | When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. | Ultimate restoration from exile bringing joy and wonder. |
| Ps 75:6-7 | For promotion comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another. | God's sovereign hand in elevating individuals, even through earthly kings. |
| 1 Sam 2:7-8 | The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up... He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap... | God's power to abase and exalt individuals, mirroring Jehoiachin's change. |
| Job 5:11 | He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. | God's compassion for the afflicted, raising them up. |
| Lk 1:52 | He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. | God's pattern of reversing human fortunes. |
| Jer 29:10-14 | For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, in causing you to return... | God's promise of future restoration and return from exile. |
| Isa 40:2 | Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended... | The prophetic message of comfort and a future end to suffering for Jerusalem. |
| Gen 12:2-3 | I will make you a great nation... I will bless those who bless you, and curse him who curses you... | God's covenant with Abraham, which includes blessing for those who show favor. |
| 2 Sam 7:16 | Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before Me; your throne shall be established forever. | God's enduring covenant with David, ensuring a perpetual lamp (kingship), even in adversity. |
| Ps 89:3-4 | I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to My servant David: ‘Your seed I will establish forever, and build up your throne to all generations.’ | Reiteration of the Davidic covenant's eternality, underscoring God's faithfulness despite Israel's failures. |
| Jer 33:17 | For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel. | God's promise of an unbroken Davidic line, providing hope for a future king. |
| Ezek 37:24-25 | David My servant shall be king over them... My servant David shall be their prince forever. | Prophecy of a reunited Israel under one Shepherd, a future Davidic king. |
| Ezr 1:1-4 | In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia... stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation... to build Him a house at Jerusalem. | Example of a foreign king acting in favor of God's people for their restoration. |
| Neh 1:11 | ...grant him mercy in the sight of this man... | Prayer for divine favor in the eyes of a ruler, reflecting the power of God's providence. |
| Prov 21:1 | The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. | God's sovereign control over rulers' decisions, seen in Evil-Merodach's actions. |
| Acts 7:9-10 | And the patriarchs... sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom... | God's deliverance and favor extended to His chosen ones, even in foreign lands and imprisonment. |
| Rom 11:29 | For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. | Emphasizes God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even to a disobedient Israel. |
| Rev 22:16 | I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star. | Points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the final King. |
| Dan 1:9 | Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. | Another instance of God granting favor to His people in foreign captivity. |
2 Kings 25 verses
2 Kings 25 28 Meaning
2 Kings 25:28 describes King Evil-Merodach of Babylon releasing King Jehoiachin of Judah from prison and elevating his status. This act, characterized by kindness and the bestowal of a high seat of honor, signifies a partial alleviation of Jehoiachin's suffering and a notable improvement in his living conditions compared to other captive kings. It concludes the narrative of 2 Kings, offering a glimmer of hope and suggesting God's continued, albeit mysterious, providential care for the Davidic line, even in the midst of severe judgment and exile.
2 Kings 25 28 Context
The book of 2 Kings culminates with the sad account of Judah's final kings, their continued rebellion against God, and the inevitable judgment of the Babylonian exile. Chapter 25 details the siege of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple and city walls, the final deportation of its inhabitants, and the murder of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon. Amidst this backdrop of national devastation and apparent hopelessness, verse 28 offers a surprising, albeit small, glimmer of hope. It occurs 37 years after Jehoiachin was first taken captive (2 Kgs 24:15) and serves as the very last historical entry in 2 Kings (and the Prophets' collection via Jeremiah 52:31-34), subtly hinting at the enduring nature of God's covenant with David, even when the human line of kingship seemed utterly broken.
Word Analysis
- "and spoke kindly" (וַיְדַבֵּר אִתּוֹ טֹבֹות – waydabber ’itto tovot):
- וַיְדַבֵּר (waydabber): "and he spoke," from the verb dabar (to speak), implying direct and deliberate communication.
- אִתּוֹ (’itto): "with him," referring to Jehoiachin.
- טֹבוֹת (tovot): "good things" or "kind words." This is the plural form of tov, meaning "good." It signifies not just pleasant words, but words of favor, comfort, or promise of well-being. This suggests a change in disposition towards Jehoiachin, from prisoner to favored. The expression implies a humane and benevolent approach, possibly initiating dialogue for a future relationship or role.
- "gave him a seat of honor" (וַיִּתֵּן אֶת־כִּסְאוֹ לְמַעְלָה – wayyitten ’et-kis’o l'ma‘lah):
- וַיִּתֵּן (wayyitten): "and he gave," from the verb natan (to give, to place). This is an active granting of privilege.
- אֶת־כִּסְאוֹ (’et-kis’o): "his throne" or "his seat." Kissē’ (כִּסֵּא) refers to a chair, throne, or seat of authority. Here it implies not just a physical seat but a position of dignity and respect. The usage of "his seat" might refer to a newly designated royal chair or an acknowledgment of his former status, though under the authority of Evil-Merodach.
- לְמַעְלָה (l'ma‘lah): "higher," indicating a superior position.
- "than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon." (מִכִּסֵּא הַמְּלָכִים אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ בָבֶלָה – mikkissē’ hammelakhim ’asher ’itto Bavēlah):
- This phrase clearly establishes a hierarchical arrangement among captive monarchs. Jehoiachin's elevated position suggests that while still under Babylonian control, he was considered of greater significance or favor than others. It underscores that Babylon kept multiple deposed kings, and Jehoiachin’s treatment stood out.
- The "other kings" could refer to rulers from various nations conquered by Babylon, serving as symbols of their imperial dominance. This act for Jehoiachin indicates special distinction within that subjugated class.
2 Kings 25 28 Commentary
The final verse of 2 Kings presents a quiet, yet profoundly significant, act of mercy. It's not a full restoration, as Jehoiachin remains in Babylon, but a sign of improved conditions. The release of Jehoiachin after 37 years and his elevation above other captive kings is noteworthy. While motivated by King Evil-Merodach's personal whim or a political strategy to conciliate potential Judean loyalty, biblical theology attributes such shifts in kings' hearts to divine providence (Prov 21:1). This seemingly minor event offered a glimmer of hope to the exiles. It demonstrated that God had not utterly forsaken His people or His covenant with David, even amidst His severe judgment. For the contemporary audience in exile, it was a symbolic assurance that God's plan for Israel and the Davidic line had not been extinguished, foreshadowing a future restoration, however distant it might seem.
Bonus SectionThis event is the very last recorded incident in the entire corpus of Kings, concluding the Deuteronomistic History's account of Israel and Judah. Its placement is highly deliberate. By ending not on a note of utter despair but with Jehoiachin being honored, it subtly reminds the audience that the "lamp" (2 Sam 21:17; 1 Kgs 11:36; 1 Kgs 15:4) for David was not completely extinguished. It points to God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant (2 Sam 7) despite Israel's disobedience and severe judgment. The survival of Jehoiachin, who is in the genealogy of Jesus (Matt 1:11-12), links this act of grace to the eventual fulfillment of the Davidic line in the Messiah. It serves as a historical "Amen" to God's unfailing promises, even through the actions of pagan kings.