Jehoahaz the son of Josiah became king and reigned three months. The king of Egypt deposed him, put Jehoiakim (Eliakim) as king, and placed a tax on the land. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon took Jehoikim along with vessels from the house of the Lord to Babylon. Jehoikim’s son Jehoiachin reigned in his place for three months, then Nebuchadnezzar replaced him with Zedekiah who did evil in the sight of the Lord. The Chaldeans killed many in Judah, burned the house of the Lord, and exiled many to Babylon. The Persian empire became established. The Lord told Cyrus, king of Persia to build Him a house at Jerusalem. Cyrus returned the vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar and released the exiles in Babylon to build the house of the Lord.