Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 24

Zedekiah, the last king of Judah

2 Kings 24:18-20

Zedekiah was the last king of Judah. He became king because King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon appointed him to rule on his (Nebuchadnezzar’s) behalf.

Zedekiah was Josiah’s third son who became king of Judah. He had the same mother as Jehoahaz (23:31). She was Hamutal, who came from the family of Jeremiah from Libnah. That Jeremiah was not the same man as Jeremiah from Anathoth (Jeremiah 1:1), who was the principal prophet (holy man) during Zedekiah’s rule.

There is a much fuller account of Zedekiah’s rule in the Book of Jeremiah. In that book, several chapters describe events during Zedekiah’s rule, including chapters 21, 24, 27 to 29, 32 to 34, and 37 to 39.

In those chapters, God frequently warned Zedekiah that he must not oppose the king of Babylon. Sometimes, Zedekiah asked Jeremiah to inquire of God on his (Zedekiah’s) behalf. God’s answer was always the same. If Zedekiah accepted Nebuchadnezzar’s rule, then Zedekiah would save both the city and his own life. If not, then Nebuchadnezzar would kill Zedekiah and destroy Jerusalem.

Sometimes, Zedekiah seemed to respect Jeremiah, although he later put Jeremiah in prison. However, Zedekiah never obeyed the message that God had given to Jeremiah. Although the king of Babylon had appointed Zedekiah, Zedekiah chose to oppose him.

These events happened because God’s judgment was against the people in Judah and Jerusalem. God had made that judgment because of the evil deeds of the people and their kings. Often he had warned them by his prophets to turn from their evil deeds and to turn back to him (for example Isaiah 1:18-20). However, they had not obeyed God – rather, their evil deeds had become even worse. So now, during the rule of Zedekiah, the time for God’s judgment against them had come at last.

Next part: Zedekiah tries to oppose Babylon (2 Kings 25:1-2)

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