Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian conquest. He was the son of King Josiah and the uncle of his predecessor, King Jehoiachin. Zedekiah's reign began in 597 BC after King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deposed Jehoiachin and installed Zedekiah as a vassal king. His reign is chronicled in several books of the Old Testament, including 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and the prophetic writings of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

Historical Context

Zedekiah ascended to the throne during a tumultuous period in Judah's history. The kingdom was under the shadow of Babylonian dominance, having already experienced the first wave of exile when Jehoiachin and many nobles were taken captive to Babylon. Zedekiah's appointment by Nebuchadnezzar was intended to ensure Judah's loyalty to Babylon. However, the political landscape was fraught with tension, as many in Judah hoped for liberation from Babylonian control.

Biblical Account

The account of Zedekiah's reign begins in 2 Kings 24:17, where it is recorded: "Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah." This change of name symbolized Nebuchadnezzar's authority over Zedekiah, as it was customary for overlords to rename vassal kings.

Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah (2 Kings 24:18). Despite his royal lineage, Zedekiah's reign was marked by spiritual and political failure. "He did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done" (2 Kings 24:19).

Prophetic Warnings

The prophet Jeremiah played a significant role during Zedekiah's reign, delivering messages from God that warned of impending judgment due to the nation's persistent idolatry and disobedience. Jeremiah urged Zedekiah to submit to Babylonian rule as a means of averting destruction (Jeremiah 27:12-15). However, Zedekiah vacillated between allegiance to Babylon and seeking alliances with Egypt, influenced by false prophets who promised deliverance.

Jeremiah 37:2 notes, "But neither he nor his attendants nor the people of the land gave heed to the words that the LORD had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet." This disregard for divine counsel ultimately led to Judah's downfall.

Rebellion and Consequences

In the ninth year of his reign, Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon, breaking the oath he had sworn to Nebuchadnezzar (2 Chronicles 36:13). This act of defiance prompted Nebuchadnezzar to lay siege to Jerusalem, a siege that lasted approximately eighteen months. The city fell in 586 BC, leading to the destruction of the Temple and the final deportation of the Jewish people to Babylon.

Ezekiel also prophesied about Zedekiah's fate, foretelling that he would be captured and taken to Babylon, yet not see it (Ezekiel 12:13). This prophecy was fulfilled when Zedekiah attempted to escape during the siege but was captured near Jericho. He was brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, where his sons were killed before his eyes, and then his eyes were put out. He was bound in chains and taken to Babylon (2 Kings 25:6-7).

Theological Significance

Zedekiah's reign serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of heeding God's word. His failure to trust in the Lord and his reliance on political alliances rather than divine guidance led to the ultimate demise of the kingdom of Judah. The prophetic voices during his reign, particularly that of Jeremiah, highlight God's desire for repentance and the hope of restoration, even amidst judgment.