Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian conquest. He was the son of Josiah and the uncle of Jehoiachin, whom he succeeded as king. His reign lasted from 597 to 586 BC. Zedekiah was appointed king by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, who changed his name from Mattaniah to Zedekiah, meaning "The Lord is my righteousness" (2 Kings 24:17).

Rebellion Against Babylon

Despite his appointment by Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah's reign was marked by political instability and rebellion. He initially served as a vassal to Babylon, but under pressure from his advisors and surrounding nations, he eventually rebelled against Babylonian rule. This rebellion was contrary to the prophetic counsel of Jeremiah, who urged submission to Babylon as God's instrument of judgment (Jeremiah 27:12-15).

Prophetic Warnings

The prophet Jeremiah played a significant role during Zedekiah's reign, warning him of the consequences of his rebellion. Jeremiah prophesied that Jerusalem would fall to the Babylonians and that Zedekiah would be captured. Despite these warnings, Zedekiah sought alliances with Egypt and other nations, hoping to resist Babylonian domination (Jeremiah 37:5-10).

The Siege of Jerusalem

In response to Zedekiah's rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign. The siege lasted approximately two years, leading to severe famine and hardship within the city (2 Kings 25:1-3). During this time, Zedekiah sought Jeremiah's intercession, but the prophet reiterated that the city would fall and urged surrender to the Babylonians (Jeremiah 38:17-18).

Capture and Punishment

As the Babylonians breached the city walls, Zedekiah attempted to escape by night through a gate between the two walls near the king's garden. However, he was captured in the plains of Jericho (2 Kings 25:4-5). Zedekiah was brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, where he faced judgment. In a brutal act of retribution, Zedekiah's sons were killed before his eyes, and then his eyes were put out. He was bound in bronze shackles and taken to Babylon, where he remained imprisoned until his death (2 Kings 25:6-7; Jeremiah 39:6-7).

Theological Significance

Zedekiah's fate serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God's commands and the rejection of prophetic counsel. His reign and subsequent downfall illustrate the fulfillment of divine judgment as prophesied by Jeremiah. The tragic end of Zedekiah's rule marked the final collapse of the Davidic monarchy in Judah until the prophesied restoration through the Messiah, who would establish an everlasting kingdom (Jeremiah 23:5-6).

References in Scripture

· 2 Kings 24:17-20; 25:1-7
· 2 Chronicles 36:11-21
· Jeremiah 21:1-10; 24:8-10; 27:12-22; 32:1-5; 34:1-7; 37:1-21; 38:14-28; 39:1-7; 52:1-11
· Ezekiel 12:10-13