2 Chronicles 36:4-8

19. THE REIGN OF ELIAKIM (JEHOIAKIM) (2 Chronicles 36:4-8)

TEXT

2 Chronicles 36:4. And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Neco took Joahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.

5. Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah his God. 6. Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon. 7. Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of Jehovah to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon. 8. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.

PARAPHRASE

2 Chronicles 36:4. The king of Egypt now appointed Aliakim, the brother of Jehoahaz, as the new king of Judah. (Eliakim's name was changed to Jehoiakim.) Jehoahaz was taken to Egypt as a prisoner.

5. Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years, in Jerusalem; but his reign was an evil one. 6. Finally Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon conquered Jerusalem, and took away the king in chains to Babylon. 7. Nebuchadnezzar also took some of the golden bowls and other items from the Temple, placing them in his own temple in Babylon. 8. The rest of the deeds of Jehoiakim, and all the evil he did, are written in The Annals of the Kings of Judah; and his son Jehoiachin became the new king.

COMMENTARY

Jehoiakim became king at the age of twenty-five and ruled uneasily through eleven difficult years. In his time Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians came and took him captive along with other Hebrews (such as Daniel and his brethren). Jehoiakim made no attempt to serve Jehovah. The Babylonians robbed the Temple of many of its treasures in his time. Judah's light dimmed quickly during Jehoiakim's reign.