My King of Kings!
A Vacation Bible School Curriculum by Barry McWilliamsan ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America
In 605, after defeating Eygpt at the Battle of Carchemish in Syria, Nebuchadnezer demanded tribute and young men from Jerusalem (Daniel, but had to hasten home to be crowned King on his father's death.
In 597, King Jehoiachin and other hostages (including Ezekiel) were deported to Babylon both to ensure tribute and discourage revolt. A "puppet" was put on Judah's throne.
In 587, Jerusalem was sacked and leveled, the temple destroyed, and most of the remaining population deported and resettled. Jeremiah was present in these final days, and was taken against his will to Eygpt by refugees.
Evil-Merodach (562-560) Nebuchadnezer's son was assassinated by Neriglissar (560-556), Nebuchadnezer's Son-in-law. Labashi-Marduk (556), Neriglissar's son reigned ony 9 months before being overthrown by Nabonidus (556-539), who ruled from Tema, with his son Belshazzar (553-539) as Co-Regent in Babylon under his father. Nabonidus was quite unpopular with the people because he had abandoned Babylon's gods for Sin the moon god.
Darius ruled and appointed governors in Babylon until Cyrus arrived about a year later. He was welcomed as a deliverer. Cyrus' Edict (538) freeing the people to return was foretold in Isaiah 45 200 years earlier. Subsequent Persian monarchs are encountered in Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. Esther was married to Xerxes, who made a disasterous invasion of Greece.