Background and Context:
Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian conquest. He was the son of Josiah and the uncle of Jehoiachin, whom he succeeded. His reign is chronicled in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Jeremiah. Zedekiah's ascension to the throne was marked by political turmoil and the looming threat of Babylonian dominance.

Ascension to the Throne:
Zedekiah was made king by Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon, after the latter had besieged Jerusalem and taken Jehoiachin captive. Nebuchadnezzar changed Mattaniah's name to Zedekiah, which means "The Lord is my righteousness," signifying a vassal relationship and a new beginning under Babylonian oversight. This event is recorded in 2 Kings 24:17 : "Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah."

Reign and Challenges:
Zedekiah reigned for eleven years, from approximately 597 to 586 BC. His rule was characterized by a struggle to maintain autonomy while under Babylonian control. Despite being placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah faced pressure from his own people to resist Babylonian rule. This internal conflict is highlighted in 2 Chronicles 36:12 : "And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD."

Prophetic Counsel and Rebellion:
Throughout his reign, Zedekiah received counsel from the prophet Jeremiah, who urged submission to Babylon as God's will for Judah. However, Zedekiah's inability to heed this advice led to disastrous consequences. Jeremiah 27:12 records Jeremiah's message: "I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah in the same way: 'Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live!'"

Despite Jeremiah's warnings, Zedekiah eventually rebelled against Babylon, influenced by false prophets and political advisors who promised deliverance. This rebellion prompted Nebuchadnezzar to lay siege to Jerusalem once more, leading to the city's fall and destruction in 586 BC.

The Fall of Jerusalem:
The siege of Jerusalem was a pivotal moment in Jewish history, resulting in the destruction of the Temple and the exile of many Judeans to Babylon. Zedekiah's fate was sealed when he attempted to flee the city but was captured near Jericho. His sons were killed before his eyes, and he was blinded and taken in chains to Babylon, as described in 2 Kings 25:7 : "Then they put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon."

Legacy:
Zedekiah's reign is often viewed as a tragic period marked by missed opportunities for repentance and obedience to God's prophetic word. His failure to trust in the Lord's plan through Jeremiah's counsel led to the ultimate downfall of Jerusalem and the end of the Davidic line's rule in Judah until the prophesied restoration.