Jehoiakim, originally named Eliakim, was the son of Josiah and the king of Judah from approximately 609 to 598 BC. His reign is chronicled in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and the prophetic writings of Jeremiah. Jehoiakim's rule is marked by political turmoil, idolatry, and a departure from the religious reforms instituted by his father, Josiah.

Ascension to the Throne

Jehoiakim ascended to the throne under the auspices of Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt. After the death of Josiah at Megiddo, Jehoiakim's younger brother, Jehoahaz, was initially made king. However, after a brief three-month reign, Pharaoh Necho deposed Jehoahaz and installed Eliakim, renaming him Jehoiakim, as a vassal king. This political maneuver is recorded 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."

Political Alliances and Rebellion

Jehoiakim's reign was characterized by shifting allegiances between the major powers of Egypt and Babylon. Initially, he was a vassal to Egypt, paying heavy tribute. However, the geopolitical landscape shifted with the rise of Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar II. In 605 BC, following the Battle of Carchemish, Babylon became the dominant power, and Jehoiakim became a vassal to Nebuchadnezzar. This is noted in 2 Kings 24:1: "During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. But then he turned and rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar."

Jehoiakim's rebellion against Babylon led to a series of punitive campaigns by Nebuchadnezzar, which ultimately resulted in the first Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. The prophet Jeremiah warned against this rebellion, urging submission to Babylon as God's instrument of judgment (Jeremiah 27:12-15).

Religious and Moral Decline

Jehoiakim's reign is noted for its moral and religious decline. Unlike his father Josiah, who had instituted significant religious reforms and a return to the worship of Yahweh, Jehoiakim reverted to idolatrous practices. He is described as a king who "did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done" (2 Kings 23:37).

The prophet Jeremiah was a contemporary of Jehoiakim and frequently condemned the king's actions. Jehoiakim's response to Jeremiah's prophecies was one of hostility. In a notable incident, Jehoiakim burned a scroll containing Jeremiah's prophecies, an act of defiance against God's word (Jeremiah 36:23). This act symbolized his rejection of divine counsel and further solidified his reputation as a king who disregarded the covenant with Yahweh.

Death and Legacy

Jehoiakim's reign ended abruptly in 598 BC. The circumstances of his death are not detailed in the biblical text, but it is implied that he died during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Jeremiah prophesied that Jehoiakim would have the burial of a donkey, dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 22:18-19), indicating a dishonorable end.

Jehoiakim was succeeded by his son Jehoiachin, who reigned for only three months before being taken into Babylonian captivity. Jehoiakim's reign is often viewed as a period of significant decline for Judah, setting the stage for the eventual destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian Exile. His failure to heed prophetic warnings and his political miscalculations contributed to the downfall of the Davidic kingdom.