vv 9-10 He burned down the Temple of the Lord, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem. He destroyed all the important buildings in the city. Then he supervised the entire Babylonian army as they tore down the walls of Jerusalem on every side.
This lengthy passage about the destruction of Jerusalem and the treatment of the captives makes grim reading. It was not a matter of casual looting and violence; it was a determined assault on the structure, inhabitants and personal possessions of a major city. The rebellious behaviour of the citizens deserved no less – so the Babylonian conquerors were determined it should never happen again. This is the start of the Exile proper. With their city destroyed and their leaders in captivity there was little prospect of the nation ever being rebuilt. But God went on loving His covenant people, so this is not the end of everything!
—