Watch and Discuss:

As you watch, take notes and be prepared to answer the following questions after you watch the video:

1. What shape are the Babylonian shields?
2. How many horses pulled Nebuchadnezzar’s chariot?
3. What was Jeremiah carrying when first he spoke to the king?
4. How did the Babylonians succeed in capturing Jerusalem?

Listening Practice:

Watch the video clip again and fill in the missing words from the dropdown box:

Jerusalem's 21st king - Zedekiah, is caught between the region's superpowers. He is with Egypt but owes allegiance to Babylon. News of his has reached the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar.

Soldiers: Nebuchadnezzar! Nebuchadnezzar! Nebuchadnezzar! Nebuchadnezzar! ...

Nebuchadnezzar: We move! Jerusalem!

Jerusalem! You know what it means, Jerusalem? City of peace! Jerusalem!

Narrator: Since the time of David, prophets like Jeremiah have guided their kings. They are Israel's direct link with God. But Jeremiah's warnings have gone . Now he delivers a final message to Zedekiah. to Nebuchadnezzar or die.

Jeremiah: Faithless people.

King Zedekiah: No! Prophet, what is that?

Jeremiah: This is you. If you are wise, place yourself under the of Babylon. Accept the Lord's retribution, and know that he is being with you. These are God's words. Submit to king Nebuchadnezzar. your head.

King’s Advisor: You dare tell your king to bow down?

Jeremiah: How dare you question a prophet of God? It is you who . It's you who must change!

King’s Advisor: Remove him. !

Jeremiah: God is bringing disaster from Babylon.

Babylonians: Jerusalem! Jerusalem!

A Jerusalem guard: To the gates!

People trying to get into Jerusalem: The Babylonians! Quick, get inside!

My son! Father! You're too late! My son! Stay! Father! Stay there! That's it!

Nebuchadnezzar: Is the city ?

Soldier: Yes, my king.

Nebuchadnezzar: No one escapes. It begins.

Narrator: After 18 months the trapped Israelites start to starve. The desperate resort to .

Soldier: Archers ready! Take aim. Fire!

King Zedekiah: Prophet. Will you not speak for us in our hour of need?

Jeremiah: Nothing has changed. All Jerusalem will .

King’s Advisor: You wrote. "Repent, and all will be well. God will save us."

Jeremiah: Look out there! You're too late.

Nebuchadnezzar: Now. Stand together! Strike hard and will be ours. And whatever's left of Jerusalem, help yourselves!

Matching exercise: Match the words on the left with the definitions on the right:

Completion exercise: Complete these sentences with words from the exercise above: (Hint: you may need to change the form of the word.)

1. Benedict Arnold is considered a hero in Britain, and the worst of all in the USA.
2. The angry generals to take over the government.
3. That mother is too with her noisy children.
4. The soldier his friends by telling the enemy where they were hiding.
5. He of his bad behavior and said he was sorry.
6. was once practiced on islands south of the USA, including Cuba and Haiti.
7. The Israelites lived under the of slavery in Egypt for hundreds of years.
8. She was that we didn't accept her invitation to dinner.

Comprehension and discussion questions: Discuss these questions in your group or with a partner.

1. Who was Nebuchadnezzar, and why did he attack Jerusalem?
2. What is the meaning of the word, “Jerusalem”?
3. Who was Jeremiah, and what was his role as a prophet of God?
4. What advice did Jeremiah give to King Zedekiah?
5. How long did the Babylonians camp around Jerusalem?
6. What happened to the people inside the city?
7. What did Jeremiah say would happen to Jerusalem?
8. What do you think will happen to the Israelites next?