2 Chronicles 36:1-4
Introduction
In this chapter we first find the reign of three sons and a grandson of Josiah who are successively king of Judah. They all have double names: 1. Joahaz/Jehoahaz (or Shallum, 1Chr 3:15-16), son of Josiah, 2Chr 36:1-4; 2. Jehoiakim (or Eliakim), son of Josiah, 2Chr 36:5-8; 3. Jehoiachin (or Jeconiah or Coniah, Jer 22:24; 28; Jer 24:1; Jer 37:1), son of Jehoiakim, 2Chr 36:9-10; 4. Zedekiah (or Mattaniah), son of Josiah, 2Chr 36:11-16.The description of their reign is brief. It is as if the chronicler is in a hurry to come to the end, in order to point out a new perspective. During the reign of Zedekiah the destruction of Jerusalem takes place (2Chr 36:17-21). God’s patience with His people has ended. However, this is not the end of the book. In the last two verses the writer points to a new beginning. God allows through Cyrus the possibility that the Jews who were carried away into exile can return to Jerusalem (2Chr 36:22-23).Joahaz King of Judah
After the death of Josiah the people take the initiative and choose a successor (2Chr 36:1). This is not the eldest son, Jehoiakim, but a younger son, Shallum, who takes the name Joahaz. He reigns for only three months (2Chr 36:2). He reigns that short period of time by the grace of the king of Egypt, who deposes him after three months (2Chr 36:3). Here we see the result of Josiah’s failure by interfering in a battle of the king of Egypt (2Chr 35:20-24). Josiah interfered with Egypt and was overwhelmed by it. The king of Egypt also imposes a heavy fine on the land that must be paid by all the people (2Kgs 23:35). As a result, the whole population feels the yoke of domination. This must have been a huge difference with the favors they enjoyed under Josiah.Now the king of Egypt decides who becomes king (2Chr 36:4) and not the people of the land (2Chr 36:1). The power of the king of Egypt is also shown by the fact that he gives another name to Eliakim he made king (cf. Dan 1:7). It seems that Joahaz has caused the displeasure of the king of Egypt, because he is taken to Egypt. There he also died (Jer 22:10-12).
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