310 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

Scripture that the Lord sent these against him,—shewing
that God often punishes the iniquity of the people by
permitting men to cause them trouble.

Johnnie. Why did the king of Egypt not help him?

Grandfather. He was unable, for Nebuchadnezzar
had subdued the land of Egypt, and taken from Pharaoh
great part of his dominions. After the death of Jehoia-
kim, when Jehoiachin, his son, was on the throne,
Nebuchadnezzar went up to besiege Jerusalem. The
feeble monarch, made feeble by his own sins, and by the
sins of his fathers, was glad to submit to the powerful
king of Babylon. He yielded without opposition. He,
his mother, his servants, his princes, and his officers, left
Jerusalem, and committed themselves to the mercy of
Nebuchadnezzar. Thus ended the reign of Jehoiachin,
after he, like his uncle Jehoahaz, had reigned only three
months.

George. I think he might have stood out a while for
his rights; it was very tame in him to submit so
readily.

Grandfather. He fared the better on that account,
however. His successor had good cause to repent his
obstinacy.

Marianne. What was his name ?

Grandfather. Mattaniah, but Nebuchadnezzar changed
it to Zedekiah, to shew his absolute power over him ; for
though he was called the king of Judah, he was in reality
the servant of the king of Babylon, and ought not to
have attempted anything against his will; but he did