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 as king. Zedekiah's reign is marked by his failure to heed prophetic warnings and his continuation of the sinful practices initiated by his predecessors, particularly Jehoiakim.

Background and Ascension to the Throne

Zedekiah was appointed king by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon after the latter had deposed Jehoiachin and taken him into exile. As 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." His reign began in 597 BC and lasted until the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC.

Following the Evil Example of Jehoiakim

Zedekiah's reign was characterized by a continuation of the idolatry and disobedience to God that had plagued Judah under Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim, Zedekiah's brother, had been notorious for his rebellion against God, as described in 2 Kings 23:37 : "And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done." Zedekiah followed in these footsteps, failing to lead the nation back to the covenantal faithfulness required by God.

Rebellion Against Babylon

Despite being placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah eventually rebelled against Babylonian rule, a decision that proved disastrous for Judah. This rebellion was contrary to the counsel of the prophet Jeremiah, who had warned Zedekiah to submit to Babylon as part of God's judgment on Judah. Jeremiah 27:12 records the prophet's plea: "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!'"

Prophetic Warnings and Ignored Counsel

Throughout his reign, Zedekiah was repeatedly warned by Jeremiah and other prophets about the consequences of his actions. However, he chose to ignore these warnings, much like Jehoiakim before him. Jeremiah 37:2 states, "But neither he nor his attendants nor the people of the land gave heed to the words that the LORD had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet."

The Fall of Jerusalem

Zedekiah's rebellion led to the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, culminating in the city's destruction. The account in 2 Kings 25:1-7 details the tragic end of Zedekiah's reign, including the capture and blinding of the king after witnessing the execution of his sons. This event marked the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies and the end of the Davidic monarchy in Judah until the promised restoration.

Legacy of Wickedness

Zedekiah's legacy is one of failure to repent and return to the ways of the LORD, following instead the path of wickedness established by Jehoiakim. His reign serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of heeding God's word through His prophets.2 Kings 24:19
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done.
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2 Chronicles 36:12,13
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.
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The Greater Prophets.
... If ye shall at all turn from following me, ye ... year of Josiah to the close of Zedekiah's
reign, through ... a degenerate age to rebuke the wicked rulers and people ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... Psammetichus I. and Zedekiah"Apries and the revolt of Tyre ... to the good government
of its rulers and the ... sea, and the stumbling-blocks with the wicked; and I ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... Now therefore let all the wicked men be far from ... might be drawn to do that which
in truth is evil. ... and abhorring what he forbids, but by following the delusion ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

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