Theme: The LORD humbles and judges the proud; love your neighbour as yourself

Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7): A promise from the LORD to David that his dynasty would continue and that an obedient son would come from his line. This obedient son would build a house/people for the LORD and his throne will last forever.

Jehoahaz (609 BC). Although he was the fourth son of Josiah, Jehoahaz was made king over Judah once his father died (2 Kings 23:31; 2 Chronicles 36:1). Also known as Shallum (1 Chronicles 3:15), Jehoahaz only reigned for three months in Jerusalem before being deposed by Pharaoh Necho and transported to Egypt in chains. Jehoahaz later died in Egypt (2 Kings 23:31–35). He is generally understood to be the first cub (Ezekiel 19:3-4).

Jehoakim (609-597 BC). After Jehoahaz was taken to Egypt the Pharaoh installed his brother Eliakim as king and changed his name to Jehoakim. He taxed the people heavily in order to pay tribute to Egypt (2 Kings 23:35). In 605 BC the Babylonians defeated the Egyptians in battle and Jehoakim was forced to change his allegiance in order to avoid the destruction of Jerusalem. It appears as if he was initially taken captive to Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:6; Daniel 1:1-2) before being allowed to return and rule as a vassal. When he stopped paying tribute to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar responded by sending armies to raid Judah (2 Kings 24:2) and besiege Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:10). It appears as if Jehoakim was killed in one of these raids.

Jehoiachin (597 BC). After the death of his father, Jehoiachin inherited a troubled kingdom. Armies were raiding Judah and slowly making their way to the capital. After a mere three months on the throne, Jerusalem was besieged and Jehoiachin responded by surrendering to Nebuchadenezzar. A large number of skilled workers were taken off to exile together with Jehoiachin.

Zedekiah (597-587 BC). Nebuchadnezzar installed the uncle of Jehoiachin, originally called Mattaniah, as vassal over Judah in 597 BC. Zedekiah would rule for 11 years. Throughout his rule, he was constantly looking for help from other nations in order to throw off the yoke of the Babylonians. In particular he hoped that the Egyptians would come to his aid.