2 Kings 25:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 25:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war [fled] by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king`s garden (now the Chaldeans were against the city round about); and [the king] went by the way of the Arabah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war [fled] by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king`s garden (now the Chaldeans were against the city round about); and [the king] went by the way of the Arabah.
2 Kings 25:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war [fled] by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king`s garden (now the Chaldeans were against the city round about); and [the king] went by the way of the Arabah.

What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“ZEDEKIAH TAKEN. (2Ki. 25:4-30) the city was broken up--that is, a breach was effected, as we are elsewhere informed, in a part of the wall belonging to the lower city (Ch2 32:5; Ch2 33:14). the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden--The king's garden was (Neh 3:15) at the pool of Siloam, that is, at the mouth of the TyropÃ&brvbron. A trace of the outermost of these walls appears to be still extant in the rude pathway which crosses the mouth of the TyropÃ&brvbron, on a mound hard by the old mulberry tree, which marks the traditional spot of Isaiah's martyrdom [ROBINSON]. It is probable that the besiegers had overlooked this pass. the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The city was broken up - Rather, “broken into,” i. e., A breach was made about midnight in the northern wall Ezekiel 9:2, and an entry effected into the second or lower city (see the 2 Kings 22:14 note), which was protected by the wall of Manasseh 2 Chronicles 33:14. Precipitate flight followed on the advance of the Babylonians to the “middle gate,” or gate of communication between the upper and the lower cities. This position was only a little north of the royal palace, which the king therefore quitted. He escaped by the royal garden at the junction of the Hinnom and Kidron valleys, passing between the two walls which skirted on either side the valley of the Tyropoeon. Toward the plain -…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“25:4 Using battering rams (Ezek 4:2), the Babylonians broke down a section of Jerusalem’s wall and penetrated the city. At nightfall, King Zedekiah and the remaining troops escaped through the gate at the southeastern corner of the city into the Kidron Valley, attempting to reach the Jordan Valley.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the city: This being the ninth day of the fourth month, corresponded to Wednesday, July 27. Jer 5:10, Jer 39:2, Jer 39:3, Jer 52:6, Jer 52:7-11; Eze 33:21 fled: Lev 26:17, Lev 26:36; Deu 28:25, Deu 32:24, Deu 32:25, Deu 32:30; Jer 39:4-7 and the king: Kg2 25:5; Eze 12:12 4 Kings (2 Kings) 25:5”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification