CHAPTER XXXVIII: THE FALL OF JERUSALEM (B.C. 586) [38]457

JEREMIAH AND HIS PROPHECIES [37]449

Pathos of Jeremiah's lot--The sad epoch in which he lived--Religious changes--Arrest of Jeremiah--Progress of the siege--Zedekiah sends for the prophet--His hardships alleviated--Horrors of famine--Wicked defiance--A sudden death--Anger of the priests and nobles against Jeremiah--He is thrust into a miry pit--Compassion of Ebed-Melech--Purchase of a field at Anathoth--Secret interview with Zedekiah--It becomes known--Distress of Zedekiah.

THE FALL OF JERUSALEM (B.C. 586) [38]457

Nebuzaradan and the Babylonians--The final captivity--Dreadful fate of Zedekiah--Prophecies of Ezekiel and Jeremiah--Sack of the city--Massacre of the chief inhabitants--Burning of the city and Temple--Desolation--Respect shown by the Babylonian general to Jeremiah--He decides to remain with the remnant in Judæa.