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. His reign, which lasted from 597 to 586 BC, was marked by political instability and spiritual rebellion against God, ultimately leading to the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile.

Appointment and Early Reign

Zedekiah was appointed king by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon after the latter had captured Jerusalem and deported Jehoiachin along with many of the kingdom's elite. Nebuchadnezzar changed Mattaniah's name to Zedekiah, which means "The Lord is my righteousness," perhaps as a reminder of his vassal status and the expectation of loyalty to Babylon (2 Kings 24:17).

Rebellion Against Babylon

Despite his position as a vassal king, Zedekiah's reign was characterized by political intrigue and rebellion. Influenced by nationalistic advisors and false prophets, he sought alliances with Egypt and other neighboring nations to resist Babylonian dominance. This defiance was in direct opposition to the prophetic counsel of Jeremiah, who urged submission to Babylon as God's instrument of judgment (Jeremiah 27:12-15).

Spiritual Rebellion

Zedekiah's rebellion was not merely political but also spiritual. He failed to heed the warnings of the prophet Jeremiah, who called for repentance and faithfulness to God. Instead, Zedekiah allowed idolatry and injustice to flourish in Judah. The prophet Ezekiel also condemned the spiritual corruption of Zedekiah's reign, highlighting the king's unfaithfulness to the covenant with God (Ezekiel 17:15-19).

The Siege and Fall of Jerusalem

In 589 BC, Zedekiah's rebellion culminated in a revolt against Babylon, prompting Nebuchadnezzar to lay siege to Jerusalem. The siege lasted approximately two years, leading to severe famine and suffering within the city. Despite Jeremiah's continued warnings, Zedekiah persisted in his resistance, ultimately resulting in the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC (2 Kings 25:1-3).

Capture and Punishment

As the Babylonians breached the city walls, Zedekiah attempted to flee but was captured near Jericho. He was brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, where he witnessed the execution of his sons before his eyes were put out. Bound in chains, Zedekiah was taken to Babylon, where he remained a prisoner until his death (2 Kings 25:4-7; Jeremiah 39:4-7).

Theological Implications

Zedekiah's reign serves as a poignant example of the consequences of rebellion against God. His failure to trust in God's sovereignty and his reliance on political alliances rather than divine guidance led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jewish people. The narrative of Zedekiah underscores the importance of obedience to God's word and the dangers of spiritual and political rebellion.2 Chronicles 36:13
And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning to the LORD God of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zedekiah
... an alliance with the latter, which was constructive rebellion against the former ...
the divine love had to do what God Himself has ... Because sentence against an evil ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/zedekiah.htm

'As Sodom'
... Jehoiakim's evil ways, and his rebellion against Babylon. ... his kingdom and himself
to God's 'wrath,' not thereby diminishing Zedekiah's responsibility for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/as sodom.htm

Carried Captive into Babylon
... After years of rebellion against God, Zedekiah thought it too humiliating to say
to his people, I accept the word of the Lord, as spoken through the prophet ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 37 carried captive into.htm

The Last King of Judah
... this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the Lord. ... the
power and supreme authority of the true God; and when Zedekiah once more ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 36 the last king.htm

Against those who Assert that the Spirit Ought not to be Glorified ...
... Against those who assert that the Spirit ought not ... he reproaches the people for their
rebellion and disobedience ... the Spirit knoweth the things of God, as "the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xix against those who.htm

The Poetical Books.
... in; as they gained entrance on one side, the wretched King Zedekiah escaped on ... And
in the midst of all this calamity there is no rebellion against God; it is ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vii the poetical books.htm

Approaching Doom
... into sharp contrast the obedience of the Rechabites with the disobedience and rebellion
of His ... When man has sinned against a holy and merciful God, he can ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

Book 8 Footnotes
... both from such idolatry and rebellion; nor is ... chapter openly repeats his denunciations
against him; all ... that during the Jewish theocracy God acted entirely as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 8 footnotes.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... Babylon was founded in rebellion against God. ... was Headship over God's Land and God's
City, while ... 2 Kings 24:8), when Nebuchadnezzar came against Jerusalem, and ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... justify or excuse such gross rebellion and disobedience ... or Belshazzar, from the
Babylonian god Bel, Naboandelus also; and in the first book against Apion, sect ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

What does the Bible say about rebellion? | GotQuestions.org

What was the significance of the rebellion of Korah? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Korah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Rebellion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus