Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
2 Kings 25:27-30
The Partial Restoration of Jehoiachin, in Babylon (2 Kings 25:27).
There can be no question that the purpose of this final narrative is to indicate that YHWH's hand was still on the house of David. It is demonstrating that He had not forgotten His promise of the continuation of David's seed, and that Judah and Israel had therefore hope for the future. Though history had consigned Jerusalem to destruction, God still had His hand on history and was preparing for the fulfilment of His purposes in the coming of Jesus Christ. This comes out especially in that he was ‘set above the kings who were in Babylon'. The author probably had in mind the Psalm which speaks of the son of David as ‘the highest of the kings of the earth' (Psalms 89:27; compare Psalms 2). It was a portent of what was coming.
Analysis.
a And it came about in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison (2 Kings 25:27).
b And he spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon (2 Kings 25:28).
a And changed his prison garments. And Jehoiachin did eat bread before him continually all the days of his life, and for his allowance, there was a continual allowance given him of the king, every day a portion, all the days of his life (2 Kings 25:29).
Note that in ‘a' Jehoiachin was released from prison and his head was ‘lifted up', and in the parallel he changed his prison garments for others, and was sat at the king's table. Centrally in ‘b' his throne was set above the thrones of the kings who were with him in Babylon.
‘And it came about in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison,'
Many Jews in exile reckoned time by Jehoiachin's captivity (see Ezekiel 1:2). The thirty seventh year of his captivity would be around 561 BC, and Awel Marduk (Ewil Merodach) succeeded his father in October 562 BC. He only reigned for two years. The prison that Jehoiachin was in probably represented a kind of house imprisonment, and we do in fact have copies of records detailing provision supplied to him and his sons. The ‘lifting up of the head' indicated more than just release. He was raised to an honoured position. This suggests that he benefited by more than just a coronation amnesty. It suggests a policy decision on behalf of Evil Merodach, which continued on with his successor, Nergal-sarra-usur
‘And he spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon,'
Jehoiachin had clearly won Evil Merodach's favour, and Evil Merodach demonstrated this by setting Jehoiachin's throne above the thrones of the kings who were in Babylon. In other words he was given the highest status among captured kings. The author may well have seen in this the partial fulfilment of promises made to the sons of David that they would be the highest of the kings of the earth (Psalms 89:27). It was a reminder, in spite of the adverse circumstances, that YHWH was watching over the house of David as He had promised. It gave hope for the future..
‘And changed his prison garments. And Jehoiachin did eat bread before him continually all the days of his life, and for his allowance, there was a continual allowance given him of the king, every day a portion, all the days of his life.'
From this point on Jehoiachin ceased to be treated as a prisoner and was dressed in a way worthy of a king, partaking of ample provisions supplied by the king of Babylon, and provided with regular allowances of food. As this continued ‘all the days of his life' it indicates that Evil Merodach's successors carried on his policy. In return, of course, Jehoiachin would have had to swear an oath of loyalty.
There is in this restoration a wonderful picture of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. If we are truly His, He too has changed our garments, clothing us in His righteousness and feeding us daily at His table.