Spence, H. D. M., etc. And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes (comp. Herod; 2 Kings 3:14 , and 2 Macc. 7; for similar aggravations of condemned persons' sufferings). As Zedekiah was no more than thirty-two years of age ( 2 Kings 24:18 ), his sons must have been minors, who could not justly be held responsible for their father's doings. It was usual, however, in the East, and even among the Jews, to punish children for the sins of their fathers (see Joshua 7:24 , Joshua 7:25 ; 2 Kings 9:26 ; ... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 25:1-7
We left king Zedekiah in rebellion against the king of Babylon (2 Kgs. 24:20), contriving and endeavouring to shake off his yoke, when he was no way able to do it, nor took the right method by making God his friend first. Now here we have an account of the fatal consequences of that attempt. I. The king of Babylon's army laid siege to Jerusalem, 2 Kgs. 25:1. What should hinder them when the country was already in their possession? 2 Kgs. 24:2. They built forts against the city round about,... read more