Eliakim, son of Josiah, was made king of Judah by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt, who changed his name to Jehoiakim. This event is recorded in the historical context of the late 7th century BC, during a tumultuous period for the Kingdom of Judah. The account of Eliakim's ascension to the throne is found in 2 Kings 23:34 and 2 Chronicles 36:4.

Historical Context

Following the death of King Josiah at the Battle of Megiddo, the people of Judah made Josiah's son, Jehoahaz, king. However, Jehoahaz's reign was short-lived, lasting only three months. Pharaoh Neco, who had defeated Josiah, deposed Jehoahaz and took him captive to Egypt. In his place, Neco installed Eliakim, another son of Josiah, as king, renaming him Jehoiakim. This act of renaming signified Neco's authority over Judah and Eliakim's subservience to Egypt.

Biblical Account

The Bible records this transition of power in 2 Kings 23:34 : "Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah and changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died." Similarly, 2 Chronicles 36:4 states, "Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim, the brother of Jehoahaz, king over Judah and Jerusalem, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Eliakim’s brother Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt."

Reign and Influence

Jehoiakim's reign lasted for eleven years, from approximately 609 to 598 BC. His rule was marked by political instability and spiritual decline. As a vassal king under Egyptian control, Jehoiakim was required to pay heavy tribute, which he extracted from the people of Judah. His reign is characterized by a return to idolatry and a departure from the reforms instituted by his father, Josiah.

The prophet Jeremiah, a contemporary of Jehoiakim, frequently condemned the king's actions and prophesied the impending judgment on Judah. Jeremiah 22:13-17 criticizes Jehoiakim for his unjust practices and exploitation of the people: "Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness and his upper rooms by injustice, who makes his neighbor serve without pay and refuses to give him his wages."

Prophetic Fulfillment

Jehoiakim's reign saw the beginning of the Babylonian threat to Judah. In 605 BC, Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon defeated the Egyptians at the Battle of Carchemish, establishing Babylonian dominance in the region. Jehoiakim initially submitted to Babylonian rule but later rebelled, leading to further conflict and eventual subjugation of Judah.

The prophetic warnings delivered by Jeremiah and other prophets during Jehoiakim's reign foreshadowed the Babylonian exile, a pivotal event in Jewish history. Jehoiakim's reign, therefore, serves as a significant period in the biblical narrative, illustrating the consequences of disobedience to God's covenant and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings.

Legacy

Eliakim, as Jehoiakim, is remembered as a king who failed to uphold the spiritual and moral standards set by his father, Josiah. His reign is a testament to the complexities of political alliances and the spiritual challenges faced by the Kingdom of Judah during a time of external pressures and internal decay. The biblical account of Eliakim's kingship underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's commands and the dire consequences of turning away from divine guidance.