Background and Name:
Jehoahaz, also known as Shallum, was the son of King Josiah and Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. His name, Jehoahaz, means "Yahweh has seized" or "Yahweh has grasped," reflecting the theocratic nature of his kingship. The name Shallum, meaning "retribution" or "recompense," is used in some contexts to refer to him, highlighting the tumultuous and brief nature of his reign.

Reign as King of Judah:
Jehoahaz became king of Judah following the death of his father, Josiah, who was a reformer king known for his efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry. Jehoahaz's ascension to the throne was marked by the people's choice, as they anointed him king in Jerusalem, bypassing his older brother Eliakim (later known as Jehoiakim).

Duration and Character of Reign:
Jehoahaz's reign was notably brief, lasting only three months. The brevity of his rule is recorded in 2 Kings 23:31-33 and 2 Chronicles 36:1-4. Despite his father's legacy of religious reform, Jehoahaz did not follow in Josiah's footsteps. The biblical narrative suggests that he did evil in the sight of the LORD, aligning with the practices of his forefathers who had led Judah into idolatry and away from the covenantal laws.

Political Context and Downfall:
Jehoahaz's reign occurred during a period of significant geopolitical upheaval. Following the death of Josiah, the kingdom of Judah found itself caught between the powerful empires of Egypt and Babylon. Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt, who had previously defeated Josiah at Megiddo, exerted influence over Judah. According to 2 Kings 23:33 , "Pharaoh Necho put him in chains at Riblah in the land of Hamath, so that he might not reign in Jerusalem."

Pharaoh Necho deposed Jehoahaz and imposed a tribute on the land, taking him captive to Egypt. There, Jehoahaz died, never returning to his homeland. This act of deposing and exiling Jehoahaz was a demonstration of Egypt's dominance over Judah at the time. Necho then installed Jehoahaz's brother, Eliakim, renaming him Jehoiakim, as a puppet king to ensure Egyptian interests were maintained in the region.

Prophetic References:
The prophet Jeremiah references Jehoahaz in his lamentations over the fate of the Davidic line and the kingdom of Judah. In Jeremiah 22:10-12 , the prophet mourns for Jehoahaz, stating, "Do not weep for the dead king or mourn his loss. Weep bitterly for the one who is exiled, for he will never return to see his native land." This passage underscores the tragic end of Jehoahaz's reign and his permanent exile.

Legacy:
Jehoahaz's short-lived reign is often overshadowed by the more extensive and impactful reigns of his father Josiah and his brother Jehoiakim. However, his account serves as a poignant reminder of the volatility of Judah's political landscape during the late 7th century BC and the consequences of straying from the covenantal path established by God for His people.2 Kings 23:30,31
And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulcher. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's stead.
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1 Chronicles 3:15
And the sons of Josiah were, the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.
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2 Chronicles 36:1
Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's stead in Jerusalem.
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Jeremiah 22:11
For thus said the LORD touching Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more:
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From Megiddo to Carchemish, 608-605.
... Jehoahaz died in Egypt ... And on that day in Jerusalem these were called forth by the
ability of the ... There was also a man who took upon him to prophesy in the Name ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 from megiddo to carchemish.htm

Jeremiah
... was for this reason that he called upon the ... the king, deals successively with Jehoahaz
(=Shallum), Jehoiakim and ... in distinctness of situation, but also in that ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/jeremiah.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... the scenes from the Elamite campaigns also reminds us ... and profited by the remembrance
when called upon to ... the utmost consideration, and when King Madyes, son ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Appendices
... in Assyria, 2 years 727 Ulula, called Shalmaneser IV ... 701 Manasseh 697 Amon 642 Josiah
640 Jehoahaz 608 Jehoiakim ... His son followed him, and he also said: I will ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

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