2 Kings 25:1

2 Kings 25:1. in the ninth year of his reign i.e. Of Zedekiah's reign. How long before this, the neglect to pay the tribute, which was the usual indication of disaffection, had gone on we are not told. The Babylonian power might overlook the first omission, but perhaps not the second. So we may date the determination to revolt from about the seventh year of Zedekiah's reign. Thus time would be given for such preparations as in the weak condition of the land he could make.

and pitched[R.V. encamped] against it The verb is one of constant occurrence in the descriptions of the marches of the Israelites from Egypt. There -to pitch" is a very suitable word, but the Babylonian armies did not intend to move till the city of Jerusalem was taken. So -encamp", the general term for such a military -pitching" of tents, seems preferable.

built forts To the precise character of these erections the word gives no clue by its derivation. It is always used for works built againsta city by the attacking party. Hence we must suppose some line of enclosure to be intended, or erections from which the besiegers could with greater effect discharge missiles over the walls.