[See Genealogy of the Kingdom of Judah] Jehoiakim was the 18th king among the kings of the Kingdom of Judah. He was the second son of King Josiah, the 16th king, and the brother of Jehoahaz (King of Judah), the 17th king. Jehoahaz only maintained the throne for three months because he did evil in the sight of God. He was captured and deposed by Pharaoh Necho, and Jehoiakim became king in his place. His original name was Eliakim.
2 Kings 23:31He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, according to all that his fathers had done.2 Kings 23:32Pharaoh Necoh put him in bonds at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of one hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.2 Kings 23:33Pharaoh Necoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah) king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim; but he took Jehoahaz away, and he came to Egypt and died there.2 Kings 23:34Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh. He exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, from everyone according to his assessment, to give it to Pharaoh Necoh.
2 Kings 23:35Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.2 Kings 23:36He did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, according to all that his fathers had done.
이후 바벨론의 왕 느부갓네살이 애굽과 싸워 이겼을 때에는 바벨론에게 조공을 바쳤다.
2 Kings 24:1Yahweh sent against him bands of the Chaldeans, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to Yahweh’s word, which he spoke by his servants the prophets.
이 시기에 하나님은 예레미야(선지자)를 통해 유다 왕국에도 하나님의 심판이 임했음을 선포하셨다. 그러나 그럼에도 다윗의 후손을 통한 메시야의 약속과 회복에 대한 메세지도 남겨두셨다. 그럼에도 여호야김은 이러한 하나님의 말씀이 적힌 예레미야 선지자의 두루마리를 불태우고 왕국을 유지하기 위해 애썼다.
예레미야 36장 참조