This portion of our story starts off with the reign of Manasseh, Hezekiah's son (who's now, obviously, deceased). Manasseh was the opposite of his papa and did all that was evil in the sight of the Lord, including dealing with wizards (and I bet they weren't good wizards, like Gandalf, but more the evil wizard type, like Saruman. Actually, I think as far as God is concerned, all wizards are evil. Tough luck, Gandalf). Because of Manasseh's rampant idolatry, God becomes completely fed up and vows to wipe out Judah. From this vow, we now know how God washes his dishes (wiping them and turning them upside down).
Evil Manasseh dies and his son Amon replaces him. Amon was also evil (typical), so a group of conspirators killed him. But then the rest of the folk killed the conspirators and made Amon's son Josiah king. Now, Josiah was one of those rare, godly kings and oversaw repairs on the Temple. During these repairs, the high priest Hilkiah discovered a long lost book of the law hidden away in the Temple. After reading the book, Josiah tore his clothes (a sign of great grief) because of how much they had apparently been doing wrong all these years.
This book was likely a portion of Deuteronomy which had apparently been lost and forgotten. This portion contained, among other things, the instructions for the Passover festival, which had not been observed since the time of the judges!* Josiah gathered the people, read the lost book to them, went on a rampage destroying and desecrating all foreign idols and altars, and held the Passover.
However, all this returning to the ways of the Lord did not dissuade God from his previous wrath incited by Manasseh. Josiah later met up with Pharaoh Neco of Egypt, who killed Josiah. His son Jehoahaz became king, but Neco imprisoned him and places Josiah's other son, Eliakim, as king. Of course, to make things more fun and confusing, Eliakim's name is changed to Jehoiakim.
Enter the CHALDEANS!**
King Nebuchadnezzar (yes, this is where the namesake of Morpheus' ship in the Matrix comes from) descends upon Judah and raises havoc. Jehoiakim dies and his son Jehoiachin takes his place. Nebuchadnezzar instigates a siege against Jerusalem, causing Jehoiachin to surrender. He's exiled to Babylon and his uncle, Mattaniah (renamed Zedekiah) is appointed the new ruler by Nebuchadnezzar.
But Zedekiah rebels and another siege of Jerusalem takes place. Zedekiah tries to flee, but is captured and forced to watch the slaughter of all his children. His eyes are then gouged out and he's taken away to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar's captain, Nebuzaradan, proceeds to utterly destroy Jerusalem, burning down all the houses, palaces, and the Temple. Another guy, Gedaliah was appointed governor of all those who remained in Judah. But then he was killed and all the people who were left fled to Egypt for they were utterly afraid of the Chaldeans.
The book of 2 Kings ends with a short footnote that the later king of Babylon, Evil-merodach, releases Jehoiachin (the king that initially surrendered at Jerusalem) from prison, befriends him, and has him dine with the king every day.
So, what about that rambling paragraph I started this post with? The author of 2 Kings makes it bluntly clear, several times, that it was because of Manasseh's sins that God sent the Chaldeans to wipe out Judah and remove all the people to Babylon. So? What's the big deal about that? Well, the big deal is that it was during this exile that these texts were probably compiled and composed, meaning we should probably try to understand what those Hebrews in exile would take to heart from this. The main thrust of it being, because they sinned and disobeyed God, God took them from their homeland. Nebuchadnezzar and the Chaldeans at large aren't in control. They are mere tools of the Lord. God is in control and orchestrated this to happen.
Again, so what? Well, if the Chaldeans were in control, then all hope would have been lost. But if the Lord is in control, then there's still hope. If Judah's sin caused this calamity, then maybe if the people repent of their sin, change their ways, and follow God once again, then the Lord's favor will return and he'll free his people (as is the trend of the Deuteronomistic History, which may also have been part of the book that Josiah found). So while it may at first seem that 2 Kings ends with the dismal horror of exile, it actually ends with a message of hope, particularly for those still in exile who would have read or heard this narrative.
A rather impressive literary device, is it not?
*The judges ruled over the tribes of Israel before the institution of the monarchy began with King Saul. Saul ruled about 400 years before Josiah, so the last time the Passover was observed was well over 400 years prior!
**Or Babylonians, if you prefer.
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