This clause introduces the events of the 25th chapter and would more appropriately appear at the beginning of that chapter. The 24th chapter appropriately closes with the word “presence.” The rebellion of Zedekiah against Babylon caused Nebuchadnezzar to come against Judah in a campaign and thus to bring that nation down in ruins. Early in the reign of Zedekiah there was a general expectation fostered by false prophets that there would be an early return of the exiles from Babylon and an end of the Babylonian yoke (Jer. 27:16; 28:1-4, 10, 11). It was probably in connection with this expectation that Zedekiah sent an embassy to Babylon (Jer. 29:3), and in the fourth year of his reign went to Babylon himself (Jer. 51:59). Jeremiah constantly sought to correct this impression, and counseled continued submission rather than revolt (Jer. 27:5-22; 28:5-17; 29:1-32). Zedekiah, however, continued his activities to throw off the Babylonian yoke, seeking for help from Egypt toward this end (Eze. 17:15; cf. Jer. 37:5; 44:30). The neighboring peoples of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Zidon were also anxious to throw off the yoke of Babylon, and had earlier sent ambassadors to Judah proposing a general revolt (Jer. 27:3-11).