Introduction:
The warning to Coniah, also known as Jehoiachin, is a significant event in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the prophetic literature of the Old Testament. Coniah was a king of Judah whose reign and subsequent downfall are recorded in the books of Kings, Chronicles, and the prophecies of Jeremiah. The warning issued to him by the prophet Jeremiah serves as a critical moment of divine judgment and a turning point in the history of Judah.

Historical Context:
Coniah, whose full name is Jehoiachin, was the son of Jehoiakim and the grandson of Josiah. He ascended to the throne of Judah at the age of eighteen and reigned for a mere three months before being deposed by Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon. His reign occurred during a tumultuous period marked by the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem and the eventual exile of the Jewish people.

Biblical Account:
The primary biblical account of the warning to Coniah is found in the book of Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 22:24-30, the prophet delivers a message from the LORD concerning Coniah's fate. The passage reads:

"As surely as I live, declares the LORD, even if you, Coniah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on My right hand, I would still pull you off. In fact, I will hand you over to those you dread, who want to take your life—to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the Chaldeans. I will hurl you and the mother who gave you birth into another land, where neither of you were born—and there you will both die. You will never return to the land you long to return to. Is this man Coniah a despised, shattered pot, a jar no one wants? Why are he and his descendants hurled out and cast into a land they do not know? O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: Record this man as childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime. None of his descendants will succeed in sitting on the throne of David or ruling again in Judah."

Theological Significance:
The warning to Coniah is laden with theological implications. It underscores the theme of divine judgment against unfaithfulness and disobedience. Despite being a descendant of David, Coniah's actions and the prevailing idolatry and injustice in Judah led to God's pronouncement of judgment. The imagery of the signet ring, a symbol of authority and favor, being removed, highlights the severity of Coniah's rejection by God.

Furthermore, the declaration that Coniah would be recorded as "childless" and that none of his descendants would sit on the throne of David is significant in the context of the Davidic covenant. This pronouncement seemed to pose a challenge to the promise of an everlasting dynasty through David's line, yet it also set the stage for the future hope of a messianic king who would fulfill the covenant in a way that transcended the immediate political expectations of the time.

Historical Outcome:
Coniah was indeed taken into exile in Babylon, where he lived for many years. The biblical narrative records that he was eventually released from prison and given a place of honor by Evil-merodach, the successor of Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 25:27-30). However, the prophecy concerning his descendants was fulfilled, as none of his direct offspring ascended to the throne of Judah.

Conclusion:
The warning to Coniah serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's covenant and the enduring hope for redemption and restoration through God's sovereign plan.