◄ 2 Kings 24:6 ►
And Jehoiakim rested with his fathers, and his son Jehoiachin reigned in his place.
Study Bible
And Jehoiakim rested with his fathers
This phrase indicates the death of Jehoiakim, the king of Judah. The expression "rested with his fathers" is a common biblical euphemism for death, suggesting burial in the family tomb. Jehoiakim's reign was marked by idolatry and rebellion against God, as recorded in 2 Kings 23:36-24:5. His death fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 22:18-19), which foretold that he would not be mourned properly and would have a dishonorable burial. Historically, Jehoiakim was a vassal to Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and his reign was characterized by political instability and subjugation to foreign powers.

and his son Jehoiachin reigned in his place
Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah or Coniah, succeeded his father Jehoiakim as king. His reign was brief, lasting only three months, as noted in 2 Kings 24:8. During this time, the Babylonian threat loomed large, and Jehoiachin eventually surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar, leading to his exile along with many of Judah's elite (2 Kings 24:12-16). This transition of power highlights the fulfillment of God's judgment on Judah for their persistent disobedience, as prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 22:24-30). Jehoiachin's captivity in Babylon is significant in biblical history, as it marks the beginning of the Babylonian Exile, a pivotal event in the narrative of Israel. Despite his initial downfall, Jehoiachin's later release from prison (2 Kings 25:27-30) foreshadows the eventual restoration of the Davidic line, which is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the eternal King from David's lineage (Matthew 1:11-12).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jehoiakim
The king of Judah who reigned from 609 to 598 BC. He was known for his disobedience to God and his alliance with Egypt, which led to his downfall.

2. Jehoiachin
The son of Jehoiakim, who succeeded him as king. His reign was short-lived due to the Babylonian conquest.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was under threat from Babylon during this period.

4. Babylon
The empire that was rising to power and would eventually conquer Judah, leading to the Babylonian exile.

5. Rested with his fathers
A Hebrew idiom indicating that Jehoiakim died and was buried, joining his ancestors in death.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Disobedience
Jehoiakim's reign serves as a reminder that turning away from God's commands leads to downfall and judgment. His alliance with Egypt and disregard for prophetic warnings resulted in disaster for Judah.

Leadership and Legacy
The transition from Jehoiakim to Jehoiachin highlights the importance of godly leadership. Leaders are accountable for their actions, and their legacy can impact future generations.

God's Sovereignty in History
Despite human rebellion, God's plans prevail. The rise of Babylon and the fall of Judah were part of God's sovereign plan, demonstrating His control over nations and history.

The Importance of Heeding Prophetic Warnings
Jehoiakim ignored the warnings of prophets like Jeremiah, leading to his demise. This teaches us the importance of listening to God's messengers and aligning our lives with His will.
Bible Study Questions
1. What were the key factors that led to Jehoiakim's downfall, and how can we apply these lessons to avoid similar pitfalls in our own lives?

2. How does the transition of power from Jehoiakim to Jehoiachin illustrate the impact of a leader's legacy on future generations?

3. In what ways does the account of Jehoiakim and the Babylonian conquest demonstrate God's sovereignty over nations and history?

4. How can we ensure that we are heeding God's warnings and guidance in our lives today, similar to the prophetic messages given to Judah?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced consequences for disobedience. How did that experience shape your understanding of God's justice and mercy?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Chronicles 36:5-8
Provides additional details about Jehoiakim's reign and his actions that led to God's judgment.

Jeremiah 22:18-19
Offers a prophecy about Jehoiakim's death, highlighting the lack of honor he would receive due to his disobedience.

Daniel 1:1-2
Describes the beginning of the Babylonian captivity, which occurred during Jehoiakim's reign.
Sermons
The Advent of NebuchadnezzarJ. Orr 2 Kings 24:1-9
WickednessDavid Thomas, D. D.2 Kings 24:1-16
People
Elnathan, Hamutal, Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Manasseh, Mattaniah, Moabites, Nebuchadnezzar, Nehushta, Solomon, Syrians, Zedekiah
Places
Babylon, Brook of Egypt, Egypt, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Libnah
Topics
Fathers, Jehoiachin, Jehoi'achin, Jehoiakim, Jehoi'akim, Lieth, Reigned, Reigneth, Rest, Rested, Slept, Stead, Succeeded
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 24:4

     8844   unforgiveness

2 Kings 24:1-4

     4215   Babylon
     8278   innocence, teaching on

2 Kings 24:2-4

     5606   warfare, nature of

Library
The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9

Extracts No. vi.
[Here twelve pages or more of the objector's manuscript are omitted, as the nature of his arguments will pretty fully appear in the reply; and as he has been obliged to rescind the ground he had taken, it is not expedient to publish his remarks. That the reader may see a little of the manner, however, in which he has given up his part of the argument, the following is inserted.] "Speaking however on the evidences of revelation, you have stated some things worthy of serious consideration; which if …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire from 745 to 722 B. C.
TIGLATH-PILESER III. AND THE ORGANISATION OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE FROM 745 to 722 B.C. FAILURE OF URARTU AND RE-CONQUEST Of SYRIA--EGYPT AGAIN UNITED UNDER ETHIOPIAN AUSPICES--PIONKHI--THE DOWNFALL OF DAMASCUS, OF BABYLON, AND OF ISRAEL. Assyria and its neighbours at the accession of Tiglath-pileser III.: progress of the Aramaeans in the basin of the Middle Tigris--Urartu and its expansion into the north of Syria--Damascus and Israel--Vengeance of Israel on Damascus--Jeroboam II.--Civilisation …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned Involuntarily?
Objection 1: It seems that vengeance should be taken on those who have sinned involuntarily. For the will of one man does not follow from the will of another. Yet one man is punished for another, according to Ex. 20:5, "I am . . . God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation." Thus for the sin of Cham, his son Chanaan was curse (Gn. 9:25) and for the sin of Giezi, his descendants were struck with leprosy (4 Kings 5). Again the blood …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
Whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked, or whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed, is a spiritual privilege. Adoption into the family of God is of this character. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (margin, or, the right; or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."[617] And every co-ordinate benefit is essentially so likewise. The evidence besides, that Covenanting …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Greater Prophets.
1. We have already seen (Chap. 15, Nos. 11 and 12) that from Moses to Samuel the appearances of prophets were infrequent; that with Samuel and the prophetical school established by him there began a new era, in which the prophets were recognized as a distinct order of men in the Theocracy; and that the age of written prophecy did not begin till about the reign of Uzziah, some three centuries after Samuel. The Jewish division of the latter prophets--prophets in the more restricted sense of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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