The Babylonian Captivity was a period in Jewish history where Jews who belonged to the Ancient Kingdom of Judah were captured in Babylonia. This was also a period of exile where many Jews had to leave and later some returned and some did not. The return was a gradual process and not a single event. This is an important event in Jewish history and culture.
The Babylonian captivity or Babylonian exile is the period in Jewish history during which a number of Jews of the ancient Kingdom of Judah were captives in Babylonia. After the Battle of Carchemish in 605 BCE, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, resulting in tribute being paid by King Jehoiakim. So pretty much what the other person answered.
Luther believed that divine election was the cause of our salvation. The doctrine was for the comfort of the believer. He wrote: "The human doctrine of free will and of our spiritual powers is futile. The matter (salvation) does not depend on our will but on God’s will and election."*
