The Deuteronomic History consists of Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and 2 Kings. The Deuteronomist wrote during the reign of King Josiah, some decades before the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem, but another scribe has completed the Book of 2 Kings up to the time of the Babylonian Exile.

2 Kings 23:37 says that did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord. More importantly, 2 Kings 24:1-4 says that Nebuchadnezzar attacked Jerusalem because of the sins of King Manasseh about a century earlier. In its coverage of Manasseh, 2 Kings had been particularly scathing of Manasseh for engaging in child sacrifice in response to the dangers faced by Jerusalem at that time.

The Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem

under King

Nebuchadnezzar can be found in 2 Kings 25.

2 Kings 25:9 --

He [Nebuchadnezzar] set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down.