struggle, the Chaldeans proved successful in forcing an entrance. The
sentry at the palace door was soon overcome, and a company of Chaldeans
rushed into the royal mansion; and, after some search, they found the
king. Without ceremony he was dragged from his hiding place, and ejected
from his palace. A shout of triumph broke from the Chaldeans, which only
exasperated their antagonists. Another desperate rush was made for the
rescue of their king, but it proved unavailing. He was conducted to the
open street amid a general fight. The din of battle brought together vast
multitudes, who, seeing their king a captive, added greatly to the
strength of Judah's forces; and the Chaldeans found themselves
continually attacked from unexpected quarters. Thus the conflict waxed
hotter and hotter as the Chaldeans desperately fought their way through
the exasperated men of Judah.

Finally, the King of Judah was carried into the presence of
Nebuchadnezzar and had he, even then, humbled himself, he might have
escaped an awful doom. The behavior of Jehoiakim in the presence of the
Chaldean monarch was that of a madman. To every inquiry he replied in the
most insulting and abusive epithets; and to seal his own fate he madly
rushed on the King of Babylon with his sword, and had it not been that
this potentate was on his guard, it would have gone hard with him. This
was beyond endurance. Nebuchadnezzar, stung to the quick, grasped his
sword, commanded his officers to stand aloof, and faced his enraged foe.
They made a few passes, and the sword of the Chaldean was plunged into
the heart of the King of Judah."

"Take the ungrateful dog," said the excited Babylonian, "and drag his
worthless carcass, and throw it outside the city walls."

The command was immediately put in execution.