Topical Encyclopedia Jehoiakim, originally named Eliakim, was the second son of King Josiah and Zebidah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah (2 Kings 23:36). He reigned as the king of Judah from approximately 609 to 598 BC. His reign is noted for its political turmoil and spiritual decline, marking a significant period in the history of Judah leading up to the Babylonian exile.Ascension to the Throne Jehoiakim's rise to power was marked by international intrigue and political maneuvering. After the death of his father, Josiah, at the hands of Pharaoh Neco II of Egypt at Megiddo, Jehoiakim's younger brother, Jehoahaz, was initially made king by the people of the land (2 Kings 23:30). However, after a brief reign of three months, Pharaoh Neco deposed Jehoahaz and installed Eliakim as king, renaming him Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:34). This change signified Judah's subjugation to Egypt, as Jehoiakim was effectively a vassal king under Egyptian control. Reign and Political Challenges Jehoiakim's reign was characterized by shifting allegiances and external pressures. Initially, he was a vassal to Egypt, but the geopolitical landscape changed with the rise of the Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar II. In 605 BC, following the Battle of Carchemish, Babylon became the dominant power in the region, and Jehoiakim was compelled to switch allegiance from Egypt to Babylon (2 Kings 24:1). However, Jehoiakim's loyalty to Babylon was short-lived. After three years, he rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, a decision that would have dire consequences for Judah (2 Kings 24:1). This rebellion led to a series of Babylonian invasions, which ultimately culminated in the siege of Jerusalem and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. Religious and Moral Decline Jehoiakim's reign is often criticized for its moral and spiritual decline. Unlike his father Josiah, who was known for his religious reforms and dedication to the worship of Yahweh, Jehoiakim is depicted as a king who did evil in the sight of the LORD (2 Kings 23:37). His reign saw the continuation of idolatrous practices and a disregard for the covenantal laws of God. The prophet Jeremiah, a contemporary of Jehoiakim, frequently condemned the king's actions and prophesied the impending judgment on Judah. One notable incident involved Jehoiakim's reaction to Jeremiah's prophecies. When a scroll containing Jeremiah's words was read to him, Jehoiakim brazenly cut the scroll with a knife and threw it into the fire, demonstrating his contempt for the prophetic message (Jeremiah 36:23). Death and Legacy Jehoiakim's death is shrouded in some mystery. The Bible does not provide explicit details about the circumstances of his demise. However, it is suggested that he died during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, and his body was cast out beyond the gates of Jerusalem, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy that he would have the burial of a donkey (Jeremiah 22:18-19). Jehoiakim's legacy is largely negative, as his reign is seen as a period of decline that hastened the fall of Jerusalem and the exile of Judah. His son, Jehoiachin, succeeded him but reigned for only three months before being taken captive to Babylon, marking the end of the Davidic line's rule in Judah until the return from exile. |