Tyndale Open Study Notes2 Chronicles 36

Jehoahaz, also known as Shallum (see Jeremiah 22:11), was not Josiah’s oldest son (1 Chronicles 3:15). The reason he was chosen as king is not explained. Pharaoh Neco quickly intervened, placing Jehoahaz’s older brother Eliakim in his place and renaming him Jehoiakim.

Jehoahaz ruled for three months in 609 BC.

• Jehoiakim ruled from 609 to 598 BC.

• he did evil: Jeremiah described his reign as focused on self-promotion and injustice (Jeremiah 22:13–17).

• The Chronicler focuses on Jehoiachin’s brief reign by mentioning his exile and the tribute paid from the temple instruments. The Babylonian Chronicle describes Jehoiachin's capture: “In the seventh year of Nebuchadnezzar, during the month of Kislev, the king of Akkad gathered his troops, marched to the land west of the Jordan, and set up camp against the city of Judah. On the second day of the month of Adar, he seized the city and captured the king.” Jehoiachin was taken captive on March 16, 597 BC and brought to Babylon about a month later.

• Jehoiachin remained a captive in Babylon for thirty-seven years (see 2 Kings 25:27; Jeremiah 52:31).

Jeremiah repeatedly advised Zedekiah to surrender to the Babylonians instead of seeking help from Egypt (Jeremiah 25:1–11; 27:1–22; 34:1–22; 37:1–38:28). However, Zedekiah refused to humble himself and rebelled, breaking his oath.

Zedekiah was king from 597 to 586 BC.

swear by God: The vassal oath given to him was likely similar to those from Assyrian treaties, sworn in the name of the vassal's god.

The temple was destroyed in August 586 BC (see 2 Kings 25:8; Jeremiah 52:12).

• Jeremiah predicted the length of the captivity (Jeremiah 25:11–12; 29:10; see study note on Ezra 6:15).

• the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest: See Leviticus 26:34–35, 43, where exile is the punishment for disobedience; the land is left unused for all the missed Sabbaths. The land’s rest also prepared it for restoration.

Chronicles ends with verses that introduce the book of Ezra. King Cyrus of Persia allowed the people of Judah to have a new exodus, as the prophet Isaiah announced (Isaiah 40:1–11).