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 divine endorsement of his rule 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 from 597 to 586 BC, a period characterized by political instability and prophetic warnings. Despite being placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah's reign was fraught with challenges, including pressure from pro-Egyptian factions within Judah and the prophetic admonitions of Jeremiah, who urged submission to Babylon as God's instrument of judgment.

Jeremiah's counsel is evident in Jeremiah 27:12 : "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!'"

Rebellion and Consequences:
Despite Jeremiah's warnings, Zedekiah eventually rebelled against Babylon, influenced by false prophets and political advisors who promised deliverance. This rebellion led to the final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's forces. The consequences of Zedekiah's rebellion were severe, as described in 2 Kings 25:1-7 , which details the capture of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple, and the blinding and deportation of Zedekiah.

Prophetic Interactions:
Zedekiah's interactions with the prophet Jeremiah are significant. Jeremiah consistently warned Zedekiah of the impending judgment and urged repentance and submission to Babylon. Despite occasional moments of seeking Jeremiah's counsel, Zedekiah often vacillated, torn between fear of his officials and the truth of Jeremiah's prophecies. This is illustrated in Jeremiah 38:14-16 , where Zedekiah secretly consults Jeremiah but struggles to act on his advice.

Legacy:
Zedekiah's reign marks the end of the Davidic line of kings ruling in Jerusalem until the prophesied restoration. His failure to heed divine warnings and his reliance on political alliances rather than faithfulness to God led to the catastrophic fall of Jerusalem. The narrative of Zedekiah serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, even in dire circumstances.