8. Judah becomes Babylonian Vassal, 604 BC.
Once Nebuchadnezzar was secure on his throne, he was back. Soon all of the kings of "the Hatti land" (i.e., Syria-Palestine) were paying tributes to him. Thus did Judah become a Babylonian vassal. Jehoiakim, however, not particularly inclined towards his new suzerain lord, and within a short time he would bring his nation into deep trouble. 2 Ki 24:1 reports how "during Jehoiakim's reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. But then he changed his mind and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar."
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