Introduction:
Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian conquest. He was the son of Josiah and the uncle of his predecessor, Jehoiachin. Zedekiah's reign is marked by political instability, rebellion against Babylon, and the eventual destruction of Jerusalem. His account is primarily recorded in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Jeremiah.

Ascension to the Throne:
Zedekiah was placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon, after the latter had exiled Jehoiachin to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar changed Mattaniah's name to Zedekiah, which means "The Lord is my righteousness," signifying his vassal status under Babylonian rule (2 Kings 24:17). Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign, and he ruled for eleven years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 24:18).

Political Context:
Zedekiah's reign occurred during a tumultuous period in Judah's history. The kingdom was caught between the powerful empires of Egypt and Babylon. Despite being a vassal to Babylon, Zedekiah faced pressure from pro-Egyptian factions within his court and among the people, who desired independence from Babylonian control.

Religious Climate:
Zedekiah's reign was characterized by a continuation of the idolatrous practices that had plagued Judah. Despite the reforms of his father, Josiah, the people of Judah reverted to worshiping false gods. The prophet Jeremiah was active during this time, warning Zedekiah and the people of impending judgment due to their unfaithfulness to the covenant with Yahweh.

Rebellion Against Babylon:
In the ninth year of his reign, Zedekiah rebelled against Babylon, influenced by false prophets and political advisors who assured him of Egyptian support (2 Kings 24:20; Jeremiah 27:9-10). This rebellion was contrary to the warnings of Jeremiah, who counseled submission to Babylon as God's instrument of judgment (Jeremiah 27:12-15).

Siege and Fall of Jerusalem:
In response to Zedekiah's rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem in the tenth year of Zedekiah's reign. The siege lasted approximately eighteen months, leading to severe famine and hardship within the city (2 Kings 25:1-3). Despite desperate attempts to seek divine intervention, the city fell in the eleventh year of Zedekiah's reign (2 Kings 25:4).

Capture and Punishment:
As the Babylonians breached the city walls, Zedekiah attempted to flee but was captured near Jericho. He was brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, where he witnessed the execution of his sons before his eyes were put out. Zedekiah was then taken in chains to Babylon, marking the end of his reign and the Davidic line's rule in Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:6-7; Jeremiah 39:6-7).

Theological Significance:
Zedekiah's reign and rebellion serve as a poignant reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. His failure to heed prophetic warnings and reliance on political alliances rather than divine guidance led to the fulfillment of God's judgment upon Judah. The fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile were pivotal events in Israel's history, underscoring the themes of covenant faithfulness and divine sovereignty.

References in Scripture:
· 2 Kings 24:17-25:7
· 2 Chronicles 36:11-21
· Jeremiah 21, 24, 27-29, 32-34, 37-39, 52
· Ezekiel 17:11-21

Key Verses:
· "Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as Jehoiakim had done." (2 Kings 24:19)
· "But Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon." (2 Kings 24:20)
· "The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah after King Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem to proclaim liberty to them." (Jeremiah 34:8)