tolerate such political double-mindedness and moved against Jerusalem to end its political independence.2 Jehoiakim (609–598), son of Josiah, played a daring game of “international roulette” between Egypt and Babylon, eventually evoking Babylon’s first incursion into Jerusalem in 598. One outcome of the events of 598 was the exile of Jehoiakim’s son Jehoiachin to Babylon, where he remained for many years as titular head of the dynasty. Many prominent citizens of Judah were deported with him. For