March 16, 597 BC: Nebuchadnezzar II captures Jerusalem for the first time

Nebuchadnezzar's Chronicle which records the
siege of Jerusalem and the exile of king Jeconiah

In 600 BC, following an unsuccessful attempt by Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar to invade his big adversary Egypt, the kingdom of Judah stopped paying tribute to Babylon and took a pro-Egyptian position. Nebuchadnezzar decided to take on the rebelling province, and his armies laid siege on Jerusalem. On March 16, 597 BC, the city fell to the hands of the Babylonians. Jeconiah (Jehoiakin), king of Judah was taken captive to Babylon along with the treasures of the Temple, the treasures from the king's palace, the government elite, the royal family, dignitaries, priests and craftsmen. Only the "common people" remained in Jerusalem.
Nebuchadnezzar recorded these events in his Chronicles as followed:

 

"In the seventh year (of Nebuchadnezzar - 599 BC.) in the month Chislev the king of Babylon assembled his army, and after he had invaded the land of Hatti (Syria) he laid siege to the city of Judah. On the second day of the month of Adar (16 March) he conquered the city and took the king (Jeconiah) prisoner. He installed in his place a king (Zedekiah) of his own choice, and after he had received rich tribute, he sent forth to Babylon."

 

11 years later in 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar returned to reconquer Jerusalem and destroyed its Temple.

 

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