Jerusalem Destroyed

Assyria fades away. Now Judah is trapped between Egypt to the south and Babylon to the east. Kings switch sides again and again. They pay tribute. They make promises just to stay alive. Prophets warn that war is coming. Jerusalem will not be safe forever.

Egypt marches north to fight for control of the land. Babylon's army meets them at Carchemish. The battle is fierce and bloody. Babylon wins! Egypt's power in the north shatters like a clay pot. Now Babylon turns its eyes toward Judah.

After the great victory at Carchemish, Nebuchadnezzar races home. His father has died. He places the crown on his own head and becomes king of Babylon. The same commander who crushed Egypt now holds all of Babylon's power in his hands.

2 Kgs 24:1; Jer 25:1