What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 36:5? Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king • Scripture gives precise ages to remind us that God governs history down to details (cf. 2 Kings 23:34–35). • At twenty-five, Jehoiakim is in the prime of life, yet his youthfulness does not guarantee spiritual vitality. Comparable kings—such as Josiah who began at eight (2 Chron 34:1–2)—show that godliness is a choice, not an automatic product of age or circumstance. • His ascent follows Pharaoh Necho’s removal of his brother Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:31–33). This underscores Judah’s political weakness and the divine judgment foretold in Deuteronomy 28:36. God’s people are now subject to foreign manipulation because they have drifted from covenant faithfulness. and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years • Eleven years is long enough to establish direction yet short compared to faithful rulers like Asa or Hezekiah. His reign sits between Egypt’s fading power and Babylon’s rise, setting the stage for the exile (2 Chron 36:6; Daniel 1:1–2). • Jerusalem, the city where God set His Name (1 Kings 11:36), should have been a beacon of righteousness. Instead, Jehoiakim’s choices accelerate its downfall, fulfilling Jeremiah’s warnings (Jeremiah 22:5–9). • The number of years marks God’s patience; He allows more than a decade for repentance, echoing 2 Peter 3:9. Yet mercy unheeded eventually gives way to discipline. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God • “Evil” is defined by God’s standard, not public opinion (Judges 21:25). 2 Kings 23:36–37 specifies heavy taxation and idolatry. • Jeremiah confronts Jehoiakim repeatedly. He burns the scroll of God’s word (Jeremiah 36:22–24), murders the prophet Uriah (Jeremiah 26:20–23), and exploits the poor (Jeremiah 22:13–17). Each act compounds covenant violation outlined in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. • Divine perspective—“in the sight of the LORD”—reminds us that nothing is hidden (Hebrews 4:13). God’s assessment is final, contrasting sharply with any temporary political success Jehoiakim might have enjoyed. • The phrase “his God” shows that the covenant relationship still stands; unfaithfulness comes from Judah, not from the Lord (2 Chron 7:14). summary 2 Chronicles 36:5 records a king’s biography in three strokes: his age at accession, the span of his reign, and God’s verdict on his life. These facts confirm God’s sovereignty over leadership, His patience during prolonged rebellion, and His righteous judgment when evil persists. Jehoiakim’s story warns against presuming on God’s grace and calls every generation to align personal and national life with the Lord’s unchanging standard. |
    |