Jehoiakim: He whom Jehovah has set up, the second son of Josiah, and eighteenth
king of Judah, which he ruled over for eleven years (B.C. 610-599) His
original name was Eliakim (q.v.). On the death of his father his
younger brother Jehoahaz (=Shallum,)
(Jeremiah 22:11) who favoured the
Chaldeans against the Egyptians, was made king by the people; but the
king of Egypt, Pharaoh-necho, invaded the land and deposed Jehoahaz
(2 Kings 23:33,34; Jeremiah 22:10-12) setting Eliakim on the throne in his
stead, and changing his name to Jehoiakim. After this the king of
Egypt took no part in Jewish politics, having been defeated by the
Chaldeans at Carchemish
(2 Kings 24:7; Jeremiah 46:2) Palestine was now invaded
and conquered by Nebuchadnezzar. Jehoiakim was taken prisoner and
carried captive to Babylon
(2 Chronicles 36:6,7) It was at this time that
Daniel also and his three companions were taken captive to Babylon
(Daniel 1:1,2) Nebuchadnezzar reinstated Jehoiakim on his throne, but
treated him as a vassal king. In the year after this, Jeremiah caused
his prophecies to be read by Baruch in the court of the temple.
Jehoiakim, hearing of this, had them also read in the royal palace
before himself. The words displeased him, and taking the roll from
the hands of Baruch he cut it in pieces and threw it into the fire
(Jeremiah 36:23) During his disastrous reign there was a return to the old
idolatry and corruption of the days of Manasseh. After three years of
subjection to Babylon, Jehoiakim withheld his tribute and threw off
the yoke
(2 Kings 24:1) hoping to make himself independent. Nebuchadnezzar
sent bands of Chaldeans, Syrians, and Ammonites
(2 Kings 24:2) to chastise
his rebellious vassal. They cruelly harassed the whole country
(comp.)
(Jeremiah 49:1-6) The king came to a violent death, and his body
having been thrown over the wall of Jerusalem, to convince the
beseieging army that he was dead, after having been dragged away, was
buried beyond the gates of Jerusalem "with the burial of an ass,"
B.C. 599
(Jeremiah 22:18,19; 36:30) Nebuchadnezzar placed his son
Jehoiachin on the throne, wishing still to retain the kingdom of
Judah as tributary to him.
