2 Kings 23:31-37

Who controls Judah’s next two kings?

Berean Standard Bible

31 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. 32 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done. 33 And Pharaoh Neco imprisoned Jehoahaz at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. 34 Then Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But Neco took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, where he died. 35 So Jehoiakim paid the silver and gold to Pharaoh Neco, but to meet Pharaoh’s demand he taxed the land and exacted the silver and the gold from the people, each according to his wealth. 36 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Zebidah daughter of Pedaiah; she was from Rumah. 37 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done.

What is the context?

Jehoahaz reigns for three months and does evil before the Lord. Neco imprisons him, levies tribute on Judah, and takes him to Egypt, where he dies.

Neco installs another son of Josiah, Eliakim, and changes his name to Jehoiakim. Jehoiakim raises the tribute by taxing the people according to their wealth. Foreign control thus affects both the royal succession and households across the land.

Jehoiakim’s eleven-year reign also receives an unfavorable judgment. Josiah’s reform has not ensured that his successors follow the same course, and the next chapter will place Jehoiakim under a new imperial power.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley understands the imposed name and succession as expressions of Neco’s dominion. His suggestions about why Jehoahaz was chosen or imprisoned are not supplied by the text. The clear pattern is foreign intervention joined with a renewed failure of faithfulness in Judah’s kings.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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