²³ But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them; he turned toward them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and would not destroy them, nor has he banished them from his presence until now.^(A)

God’s Compassion and Steadfast Love

²⁷ But the Lord had not said that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, so he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Joash.^(A)

²⁴ God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.^{(A) 25} God looked upon the Israelites, and God took notice of them.^(B)

¹⁶ I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.^{(A) 17} Rise up, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.”^(B)

²⁰ Indeed, Jerusalem and Judah so angered the Lord that he expelled them from his presence.

The Fall and Captivity of Judah

Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.^(A)

¹⁸ Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight; none was left but the tribe of Judah alone.^(A)

²⁸ Regard your servant’s prayer and his plea, O Lord my God, heeding the cry and the prayer that your servant prays to you today,