God's Judgment Regarding King Jehoiakim

Jehoiakim came to power as his kingdom was in decline, having recently lost national sovereignty after being invaded. Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar kept him on the throne in order to keep Judah submissive. But Jehoiakim made not the slightest effort to properly guide his people through this difficult time. Instead, he selfishly added to the people's burden so he could live in luxury. He could have promoted justice and compassion. Instead, he practiced oppression and vice. He could have sponsored wise leadership. Instead, he persecuted and killed those who tried to lead the people in the LORD's ways.

In view of Jehoiakim's evil ways, the LORD rendered this verdict against him:

2 Chronicles 36:5, 8   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 the LORD his God ... 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.