on the plains before the city, and nearby the remaining legions were on a
rapid march to the same spot. This sudden appearance of the forces of
Nebuchadnezzar before the walls of Jerusalem was owing to the King of
Judah's refusing to pay the tribute money as agreed on another occasion.

Three years before, the same king, who then reigned jointly with his
father, brought his forces before the city, and without any resistance
they thought fit to surrender. Jehoiakim was still permitted to reign,
but subjected to be a tributary to the King of Babylon. For two years
this agreement was adhered to by the King of Judah. On the third, the
King of Babylon marched his forces into Egypt, to bring into subjection
the revolting inhabitants, whom he had previously conquered. Jehoiakim,
trusting that the Egyptians would be able to stand their ground, and,
peradventure, prove victorious, thought this a favorable time to throw
off the Chaldean yoke; and consequently, scornfully refused to pay the
tribute money, and treated the Chaldean ambassador with haughtiness. But,
contrary to the expectations of the King of Judah, the Egyptians, when
they beheld the powerful legions of the Chaldeans, gave up their
rebellion, and promised allegiance to the King of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar, enraged by the conduct of the King of Judah, ordered his
forces in Egypt to march and encamp before the walls of Jerusalem.

Early in the morning of that fatal day, Jehoiakim called together a grand
council, in order to deliberate on the best measures to be pursued in the
painful emergency. Some advised a strenuous resistance; others said this
would be vain--that the city was not able to stand a siege for one month
because they were destitute of provisions, and, moreover, the army was in
a very imperfect condition. The king thought it advisable to show no
resistance, but to treat the King of Babylon with, civility. Finally, the
grand council agreed that it was not expedient to resist the entrance of