Single lesson
Jehoiachin Is Released
2 Kings 25:27–30; Jeremiah 52:31–34
After many years in captivity, Jehoiachin king of Judah was brought out of prison and treated with kindness in Babylon.
Before you teach
Jehoiachin, king of Judah, had been in captivity for thirty-seven years. Then, in the first year of Evilmerodach king of Babylon, he was released from prison. The king of Babylon spoke kindly to Jehoiachin. He gave him a place of honour above the other kings who were with him in Babylon, and his prison clothes were changed.
Describe the central teaching of Jehoiachin Is Released, using two details from the reading. After many years in captivity, Jehoiachin king of Judah was brought out of prison and treated with kindness in Babylon.
Welcome: Jehoiachin Is Released
4 minIntroduce “Jehoiachin Is Released” and locate 2 Kings 25:27–30; Jeremiah 52:31–34. After many years in captivity, Jehoiachin king of Judah was brought out of prison and treated with kindness in Babylon. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
2 Kings 25:27, Jeremiah 52:31, Jeremiah 52:34
Read and explain the passage
8 minJehoiachin, king of Judah, had been in captivity for thirty-seven years. Then, in the first year of Evilmerodach king of Babylon, he was released from prison.
The king of Babylon spoke kindly to Jehoiachin. He gave him a place of honour above the other kings who were with him in Babylon, and his prison clothes were changed.
After that, Jehoiachin ate bread before the king continually. He also received a regular allowance from the king of Babylon, a daily portion for the rest of his life.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Jehoiachin Is Released”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Jeremiah 52:31, 2 Kings 25:27, 2 Kings 25:29, 2 Kings 25:28, Jeremiah 52:32, Jeremiah 52:33, Jeremiah 52:34
Discuss the details and their meaning
6 minUse the three questions below. Begin with ““The king of Babylon spoke kindly to Jehoiachin.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. After many years in captivity, Jehoiachin king of Judah was brought out of prison and treated with kindness in Babylon. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
2 Kings 25:28, Jeremiah 52:32, Jeremiah 52:31, 2 Kings 25:29, Jeremiah 52:33, Jeremiah 52:34
Make and respond: Story sequence booklet
9 minWork on “Jehoiachin Is Released: Story sequence booklet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Jehoiachin Is Released” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
2 Kings 25:27, Jeremiah 52:31, Jeremiah 52:34
Closing: return to Jehoiachin Is Released
3 minRevisit 2 Kings 25:27–30; Jeremiah 52:31–34. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Jehoiachin Is Released and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
2 Kings 25:27, Jeremiah 52:31, Jeremiah 52:34
Questions to explore
“The king of Babylon spoke kindly to Jehoiachin.” Which details explain how the account reaches this point?
The king of Babylon spoke kindly to Jehoiachin. He gave him a place of honour above the other kings who were with him in Babylon, and his prison clothes were changed.
2 Kings 25:28, Jeremiah 52:32, Jeremiah 52:31
How does this moment affect the rest of the account: “The king of Babylon spoke kindly to Jehoiachin.”?
The king of Babylon spoke kindly to Jehoiachin. He gave him a place of honour above the other kings who were with him in Babylon, and his prison clothes were changed.
2 Kings 25:28, Jeremiah 52:32, Jeremiah 52:31
“After that, Jehoiachin ate bread before the king continually.” How does this ending connect with the beginning?
After that, Jehoiachin ate bread before the king continually. He also received a regular allowance from the king of Babylon, a daily portion for the rest of his life.
2 Kings 25:29, Jeremiah 52:33, Jeremiah 52:34
Make, think or respond
Jehoiachin Is Released: Story sequence booklet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- coloured pencils or crayons
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “Beginning”, “What changes?”, “How it ends”.
- Read 2 Kings 25:27–30; Jeremiah 52:31–34. Use “Jehoiachin Is Released” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Talk through your notes with an adult. Add a word, drawing or short quotation that helps you remember each part.
- Retell the account using your three panels, checking the order against the passage.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Jehoiachin Is Released connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, read the selected verses aloud, prepare the three panels and let them respond with drawings or a few words. Use Jehoiachin Is Released as the retelling prompt.
- For older children, add verse references to the response sheet and explain a connection between Jehoiachin Is Released and the final part of the reading.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read 2 Kings 25:27–30; Jeremiah 52:31–34. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
2 Kings 25
27 In the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Evilmerodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, released Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison,
28 and he spoke kindly to him and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon,
29 and changed his prison garments. Jehoiachin ate bread before him continually all the days of his life;
30 and for his allowance, there was a continual allowance given him from the king, every day a portion, all the days of his life.
Jeremiah 52
31 In the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the twenty-fifth day of the month, Evilmerodach king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and released him from prison.
32 He spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon,
33 and changed his prison garments. Jehoiachin ate bread before him continually all the days of his life.
34 For his allowance, there was a continual allowance given him by the king of Babylon, every day a portion until the day of his death, all the days of his life.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.