The condition of the kingdom as tributary to the Chaldmans probably differed little from that in which it stood as tributary to the Egyptians, except that its resources were more exhausted by the course of time, and that its gold went to the east instead of the south. But at length, after three years of subjection, Jehoiakim, finding the king of Babylon fully engaged elsewhere, and deluded by the Egyptian party in his court, ventured to with hold his tribute, and thereby to throw off the Clial &can yoke. This step, taken contrary to the earnest remonstrances of Jeremiah, was the ruin of Jehoiakim. It might seem successful for a little, from the Chaldmans not then having leisure to attend to the affairs of this quarter. In due time, however, the land was invaded by their armies, accompanied by a vast number of auxiliaries from the neighbouring countries, the Edomites, Moab ites, and others, who were for the most part actuated by a fierce hatred against the Jewish name and nation. The events of the war are not related. Jerusalem was taken, or rather surrendered on terms. which Josephus alleges were little heeded by Nebuchadnezzar. It is certain that Jehoiakim
was slain, but whether in one of the actions, or, as Josephus says, after the surrender, we cannot deter mine. His body remained exposed and unlamented without the city, under the circumstances foreto/d by the prophet—` They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah, my brother ! or, Ah, sister ! They shall not lament for him, saying,, Ah, lord ! or, All, his glory ! Ile shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem' (Jer. xxii. IS, 19 ; Chron. ; 2 Kings xxiii. 34-37 ; xxiv. 1-7; 2 C T011. XXXVi.
4-S).
It was not the object of Nebuchadnezzar to de stroy altogether a power which, as tributary to him, formed a serviceable outpost towards Egypt, which seems to have been the great final object of all his designs in this quarter. He therefore still maintained the throne of Judah, and placed on it Jehoiachin, the son of the late king. He, how ever, sent away another body, a second corps of the nobles and chief persons of the nation, three thousand in number, among whom was Ezekiel, aftenvards called to prophesy in the land of his exile.—J. K.