Introduction:
Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah or Coniah, was a king of Judah who reigned during a tumultuous period in the history of the Southern Kingdom. His reign was marked by political instability and the looming threat of Babylonian dominance. Jehoiachin's account is recorded in several books of the Old Testament, including 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Jeremiah.

Background:
Jehoiachin was the son of Jehoiakim and the grandson of Josiah, one of Judah's most revered kings. He ascended to the throne at the young age of eighteen, following the death of his father, Jehoiakim. His reign, however, was short-lived, lasting only three months and ten days.

Reign and Political Context:
Jehoiachin's reign occurred during a period of significant geopolitical upheaval. The Neo-Babylonian Empire, under the leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar II, was expanding its influence and power across the Near East. Judah, caught between the powerful empires of Egypt and Babylon, found itself in a precarious position.

The biblical account in 2 Kings 24:8-9 states: "Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Nehushta daughter of Elnathan; she was from Jerusalem. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his father had done."

The Babylonian Siege and Exile:
During Jehoiachin's brief reign, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. The city, already weakened by previous conflicts and the sins of its leaders, could not withstand the Babylonian forces. Jehoiachin, along with his mother, servants, officials, and the elite of Judah, surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar.

2 Kings 24:12-14 describes the event: "And Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his officials, and his eunuchs went out to the king of Babylon. So the king of Babylon took him captive in the eighth year of his reign. Nebuchadnezzar carried away all the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s palace, and he cut into pieces all the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made for the temple of the LORD, just as the LORD had foretold. He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained."

Life in Exile:
Jehoiachin was taken to Babylon, where he lived in captivity for thirty-seven years. Despite his imprisonment, Jehoiachin's fate took a positive turn after the death of Nebuchadnezzar. His successor, Evil-merodach, released Jehoiachin from prison and treated him with favor.

2 Kings 25:27-30 records this act of clemency: "In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Evil-merodach became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month. He spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and set his throne above the thrones of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin changed out of his prison clothes, and he dined regularly at the king’s table for the rest of his life. And the king provided Jehoiachin a daily portion for the rest of his life."

Theological Significance:
Jehoiachin's reign and subsequent exile are significant in the biblical narrative as they underscore the themes of judgment and hope. His captivity fulfilled the prophetic warnings given by Jeremiah and other prophets regarding the consequences of Judah's disobedience. Yet, his eventual release and elevation in Babylon hint at God's enduring mercy and the hope of restoration for the Davidic line, which would ultimately be fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah.

References in Prophetic Literature:
The prophet Jeremiah specifically addresses Jehoiachin, also called Coniah, in his prophecies. Jeremiah 22:24-30 pronounces judgment on Jehoiachin, declaring that none of his offspring would prosper on the throne of David, highlighting the severity of God's judgment on the unfaithful kings of Judah.

Conclusion:
Jehoiachin's life and reign serve as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments, yet they also reflect the hope of redemption and the faithfulness of God to His covenant promises. His account is a testament to the complex interplay of divine justice and mercy in the history of Israel and Judah.