2 Kings 25:7

“Before his eyes - This refinement of cruelty seems to have especially shocked the Jews, whose manners were less barbarous than those of most Orientals. It is noted by Jeremiah in two places Jeremiah 39:6; Jeremiah 52:10. And put out the eyes of Zedekiah - Blinding has always been among the most common of secondary punishments in the East (compare Judges 16:2 l). The blinding of Zedekiah reconciled in a very remarkable way prophecies, apparently contradictory, which had been made concerning him. Jeremiah had prophesied distinctly that he would be carried to Babylon Jeremiah 32:5; Jeremiah 34:3. Ezekiel had said that he should not “see Babylon” Ezekiel 12:13. His deprivation of sight before he…”

“Slew, &c. - Tho' they were but children, that this spectacle, the last he was to behold, might leave a remaining impression of grief and horror upon his spirit. And in slaying his sons they in effect declared, that the kingdom was no more, and that he nor any of his breed were fit to be trusted: therefore not fit to live. Babylon - Thus two prophecies were fulfilled, which seemed contrary one to the other, that he should go to Babylon, Jer 32:5, Jer 34:3, and that he should never see Babylon: which seeming contradiction, because Zedekiah the false prophet could not reconcile, he concluded both were false, and it seems Zedekiah the king might stumble at this difficulty. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 25:8”

“25:7 gouged out Zedekiah’s eyes: Rebellious leaders were commonly blinded in the ancient Near East. However, Zedekiah’s blinding seems especially cruel; the last image he had was of his sons being slaughtered. • True to the prophetic word, Zedekiah was taken into captivity, where he died (Jer 32:4-5; 34:3; 52:11; Ezek 12:11-14).”

“they slew: Gen 21:16, Gen 44:34; Deu 28:34; Jer 22:30, Jer 39:6, Jer 39:7, Jer 52:10, Jer 52:11 and put out: Heb. and made blind, Thus were fulfilled the apparently contradictory prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel - that his eyes should see the king of Babylon, but Babylon he should not see, though he should die there. Jer 32:4, Jer 32:5, Jer 34:3; Eze 12:13-16 bound him: Jdg 16:21; Ch2 33:11, Ch2 36:6; Psa 107:10, Psa 107:11, Psa 149:8; Eze 7:27, Eze 17:16-20 4 Kings (2 Kings) 25:8”