2 Chronicles 36:1-4 Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's stead in Jerusalem.… 1. ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND. (Ver. 1.) 1. In his father's stead. When Necho had defeated Josiah, instead of turning back to seize Jerusalem, which was virtually in his power, he pushed forward on his first intended march towards the Euphrates. Accordingly, on Josiah's death, Josiah's second son, Shallum, "He who shall be requited" (Jeremiah 22:11) - a name of evil omen (2 Kings 15:13) - was called to the throne under the name Jehoahaz, "He whom Jehovah sustains." Like his predecessor of the same name, Ahaz the son of Jotham (2 Chronicles 28:1), he failed to follow in the steps of his pious father, and rather, like the earlier untheocratic kings, surrendered himself to the practice of idolatry under the guidance of the heathen party in the state (2 Kings 23:2). According to Josephus, he was "an impious man, and impure in his course of life" ('Ant.,' 10:5. 2). Most likely it was he whom Ezekiel described as "a young lion that learned to catch the prey and devoured men, but, as soon as the nations heard of him, he was taken in their pit, and brought with hooks into the land of Egypt" (Ezekiel 19:3, 4). 2. Over his elder brother. As Eliakim was twenty-five years when he began to reign (ver. 5), it is obvious he was older than Shallum, who must, therefore, have been elevated to the throne by the voice of the people. As Shallum was not the legitimate heir, he was anointed (2 Kings 23:30) - a custom usual in the case of founders of new dynasties (2 Kings 9:3). He may have been preferred to his brother Eliakim on account of his ferocious character and supposed warlike qualities (Keil), or because Eliakim was at the time beyond their reach, having probably taken part in the battle of Megiddo and been made a prisoner (Rawlinson). II. DEPOSED BY THE KING OF EGYPT. (Ver. 3.) 1. After a short reign. Only three brief months was he allowed to retain the regal dignity. The other Shallum's time of glory was still shorter. Sic transit gloria mundi. 2. At the request of his brother. This, at least, is not improbable. As Necho was not far distant, viz. at Riblath, in the land of Hamath (2 Kings 23:33), the party favourable to Eliakim, the legitimate heir, may have craved his help against the usurper. 3. By means of treachery. The language of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 19:3, 4) seems to imply that he was caught by guile, entrapped by stratagem. That Necho actually returned from Riblah with part of his forces, besieged and captured Jerusalem (Keil), is doubtful, and is not required by the language of the Chronicler (ver. 3). It is more likely that Jehoahaz was either expressly summoned by Necho (Josephus), or treacherously enticed into visiting the camp at Riblah (Ewald), where he was thrown into chains and so deposed. 4. With the imposition of a fine upon the land. "A hundred talents of silver;' equivalent to £34,200, and "a talent of gold," equivalent to £5475, were exacted in tribute, and as a pledge of fealty to Egypt. III. SUCCEEDED BY HIS FATHER'S SON. (Ver. 4.) 1. Whose right was vindicated. The throne belonged to him by right of primogeniture. 2. Whose name was changed. Called Eliakim, "Whom God establishes," he was designated, on acceding to the king-dora, Jehoiakim, "Jehovah has set up" 3. Whose throne was secured. The usurper being deported to Egypt, where he died (2 Kings 23:34), removed the likelihood at least of civil strife. IV. LAMENTED BY A PROPHET OF JEHOVAH. Jeremiah (Jeremiah 22:10-12) probably only gave expression to the feelings of regard cherished by Jeheahaz's subjects, who mourned: 1. For their own disappointed hopes. During his short reign he had pleased the people, caught the popular imagination, and excited in them expectations of being able to revive the faded glories and upraise the fallen fortunes of Judaea. But now these anticipations were scattered to the winds. 2. For his melancholy fate. This seemed worse than what had threatened to befall Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:1; Isaiah 38:10) - to be cut off in the middle of his days; worse even than what had overtaken his illustrious father - death upon the battle-field (2 Chronicles 35:23, 24). No king of Judah had before been carried off into hopeless exile. Manasseh had, indeed, been deported to Babylon (2 Chronicles 33:11), but had afterwards been restored to his crown and kingdom (2 Chronicles 33:20). In the case of Jehoahaz no such alleviation of his misery could be looked for. Jehovah's word, through Jeremiah, was the death-stroke to any such expectation: "He shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more." Learn: 1. The strange vicissitudes of mortal life. 2. The miseries of many kings - a check to ambition. 3. The certainty of God's Word. - W. Parallel Verses KJV: 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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