Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian conquest. His appointment as king was a significant event in the history of Israel, marking the final chapter of the Davidic monarchy before the Babylonian exile. Zedekiah was the son of Josiah and the uncle of his predecessor, Jehoiachin. His reign is detailed in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Jeremiah.

Historical Context

Zedekiah's appointment came during a tumultuous period for the Kingdom of Judah. The Babylonian Empire, under King Nebuchadnezzar II, was expanding its influence and had already subjugated Judah. Jehoiachin, Zedekiah's nephew, had been taken captive to Babylon along with many of the nobility and skilled workers of Jerusalem. This deportation marked the beginning of the Babylonian Exile.

Appointment as King

Zedekiah was appointed king by Nebuchadnezzar after the deportation of Jehoiachin. The Babylonian king changed Mattaniah's name to Zedekiah, which means "The Lord is my righteousness," possibly as a symbolic gesture to assert control over Judah and its leadership. The appointment is recorded in 2 Kings 24:17 : "Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah."

Reign and Challenges

Zedekiah reigned from approximately 597 to 586 BC. His rule was marked by political instability and pressure from both Babylon and internal factions within Judah. Despite being installed by Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah faced significant pressure from nationalist elements in Judah who advocated for rebellion against Babylonian rule. This tension is evident in the prophetic ministry of Jeremiah, who counseled submission to Babylon as God's will for Judah during this period.

Prophetic Counsel and Rebellion

Jeremiah, a contemporary prophet, played a crucial role during Zedekiah's reign. He repeatedly warned Zedekiah and the people of Judah against rebelling against Babylon, emphasizing that such actions would lead to destruction. Jeremiah 27:12 records one of these warnings: "I spoke to Zedekiah king of Judah in the same way, saying, 'Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon; serve him and his people, and live!'"

Despite these warnings, Zedekiah eventually succumbed to the pressure to rebel, forming an alliance with Egypt. This decision proved disastrous, as it led to the final siege of Jerusalem by Babylonian forces.

The Fall of Jerusalem

In 586 BC, after a prolonged siege, Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians. The city was destroyed, the temple was burned, and the remaining inhabitants were either killed or taken into exile. Zedekiah attempted to flee but was captured near Jericho. His fate was tragic; he was forced to witness the execution of his sons before being blinded and taken in chains to Babylon, as recorded in 2 Kings 25:7 : "Then they put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon."

Legacy

Zedekiah's appointment and reign are pivotal in biblical history, representing the end of the Davidic line's rule in Jerusalem until the prophesied restoration. His account serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God's commands and the importance of heeding prophetic counsel. The fall of Jerusalem under Zedekiah's rule set the stage for the Babylonian Exile, a defining moment in the history of Israel and Judah.