Countdown to captivity (South)

2 Kings 18-25 details the decline and fall of Judah due to the unfaithfulness of its people and many of their kings. Aside from Hezekiah and Josiah, who are shining stars in this dark time, the people and their kings profane the temple of God with idols and sacrifice their own children to these idols, which incurs the wrath of God.

One would have hoped that Judah would have learned from Israel's mistake, but instead it did even worse by worshiping idols in God's temple. In trying to be like the nations, Judah invited destruction at their hands and was carried away to Babylon. We should keep in mind that many times it is good to learn from the mistakes of others rather than find out for ourselves.