King Jehoahaz was the son of King Josiah and the seventeenth king of the Kingdom of Judah. He reigned for only three months in 609 BC before being deposed by Pharaoh Necho II and replaced with his brother Eliakim, whose name was changed to Jehoiakim. Jehoahaz’s brief reign is described in 2 Kings 23:30-34 and 2 Chronicles 36:1-4.
When Josiah died at the Battle of Megiddo against the Egyptians, the people of Judah chose Jehoahaz to succeed his father as king rather than Josiah’s oldest son Eliakim (2 Kings 23:30). Jehoahaz was likely younger than Eliakim but was preferred by the people. His reign started off rocky, as Pharaoh Necho II, who had defeated and killed Josiah, summoned Jehoahaz to Riblah and put him in chains. Necho then deposed Jehoahaz and replaced him with his brother Eliakim, changing Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. Necho imposed a heavy tribute on Judah of 100 talents of silver and one talent of gold (2 Kings 23:33).
2 Chronicles 36:1-4 provides some extra details, noting that Jehoahaz was 23 years old when he began to reign, in contrast to Josiah who was a mere 8 years old when he became king. His mother’s name was Hamutal, who was also the mother of Zedekiah. The chronicler described Jehoahaz as doing evil in the sight of the Lord, likely due to his short reign not allowing him the opportunity to make religious reforms (2 Chronicles 36:2). The summed up judgment on Jehoahaz’s life was that “he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done” (2 Chronicles 36:4).
A few key details stand out about Jehoahaz’s brief reign:
- He was chosen by the people over his older brother Eliakim/Jehoiakim to succeed Josiah.
- His reign lasted only 3 months in 609 BC before being deposed by Pharaoh Necho II.
- Necho imposed heavy tribute on Judah and took Jehoahaz captive to Egypt.
- Necho replaced him as king with his brother Eliakim, changing Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim.
- Jehoahaz continued as a captive in Egypt until he died (2 Kings 23:34).
- He was said to have done evil in the sight of the Lord, walking in the sins of his fathers (2 Chronicles 36:4).
Aside from those few details, not much else is known about Jehoahaz or his brief reign over Judah. He was likely promising initially since the people preferred him over his older brother. But his reign was too short for him to accomplish anything significant or to demonstrate the kind of leadership he may have provided if given more time. His deposing by Pharaoh Necho II subjecting Judah to Egyptian control and tribute certainly marked a low point for the kingdom of Judah.
Background on Jehoahaz
To understand Jehoahaz’s reign, it is helpful to consider the background of Judah leading up to his ascension to the throne. His father Josiah is remembered as a righteous king who instituted major religious reforms in Judah (2 Kings 22:1-23:27). Toward the end of Josiah’s reign, the Egyptian empire under Pharaoh Necho II was seeking to aid the Assyrians in fighting the rising Babylonian empire under King Nabopolassar and his son Nebuchadnezzar II. Josiah attempted to intercept Pharaoh Necho’s army but was killed in the battle at Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29). This left Judah in a difficult political situation between two powerful empires in Egypt and Babylon.
As Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz was likely born in the royal palace in Jerusalem sometime during Josiah’s 31-year reign (640-609 BC). Based on his young age of 23 at the time of his coronation, he was likely born in the later years of Josiah’s reign, in the 630s or 620s BC. As a prince of Judah, Jehoahaz would have been provided the best education and preparation for leadership in the royal court. He witnessed many years of his father Josiah’s righteous reign and religious reforms firsthand. But ultimately Jehoahaz rejected his father’s ways and did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Chronicles 36:4).
Following Josiah’s shocking death at Megiddo, his succession fell to his sons. Typically the oldest son would become king, which was Eliakim. But Jehoahaz was selected by the people of Judah instead. The motivations for this choice are uncertain. It may reflect a power struggle between the people and the royal court. Or perhaps the people saw more promise in the young Jehoahaz than the older Eliakim. But their choice proved inconsequential when Pharaoh Necho asserted his might over Judah.
The Three Month Reign of Jehoahaz
The Bible gives few details about Jehoahaz’s brief three month reign in 609 BC, but the accounts in 2 Kings 23:30-34 and 2 Chronicles 36:1-4 reveal some important facts:
- His age: Jehoahaz was 23 years old when he began reigning (2 Chronicles 36:2).
- His mother: His mother’s name was Hamutal, who was also the mother of Zedekiah (2 Chronicles 36:2).
- The people’s choice: The people of the land anointed Jehoahaz to be king in Jerusalem, choosing him over his older brother Eliakim (2 Kings 23:30).
- His wickedness: He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his ancestors had done (2 Chronicles 36:4).
- Dates of reign: He reigned for 3 months in Jerusalem from 609-608 BC (2 Kings 23:31).
- Deposed by Necho: Pharaoh Necho imprisoned Jehoahaz at Riblah and imposed tribute on Judah (2 Kings 23:33).
- Replaced by Eliakim/Jehoiakim: Necho installed Jehoahaz’s older brother Eliakim as king in his place, changing his name to Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:34).
- Died in Egypt: Jehoahaz remained imprisoned in Egypt until his death (2 Kings 23:34).
As these details show, Jehoahaz had little time to establish his reign or implement any policies before the Egyptian Pharaoh Necho II intervened and replaced him. About the only definitively known fact was Jehoahaz’s wickedness in following after the sins of his fathers (2 Chronicles 36:4). Beyond this, his 3 months on the throne were largely uneventful and insignificant.
Jehoahaz’s Imprisonment and Death in Egypt
After being deposed by Pharaoh Necho II, Jehoahaz was taken captive to Egypt where he remained imprisoned until his death:
“And Necho made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in 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 23:34)
No additional details are provided about his time of imprisonment in Egypt or the circumstances of his death. Based on the prophecy of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 22:10-12), Jehoahaz would never return to Judah or see his homeland again after being taken away captive by Pharaoh Necho.
Jeremiah’s prophecy was given in the early years of Jehoiakim’s reign, likely around 608 BC shortly after Jehoahaz had been taken away to Egypt. In it, Jeremiah instructs the people not to weep for the departed king Jehoahaz, saying he would never return again or see his native land. Jeremiah prophesied that Jehoahaz would die in the place where they had led him captive, namely Egypt (Jeremiah 22:11-12). This came to pass just as Jeremiah had prophesied.
Significance and Legacy
As one of the final kings of Judah before its destruction and exile, Jehoahaz occupies an important place in the history of God’s people. But his direct impact on those events was relatively minor given his short reign. Nonetheless, a few key implications can be drawn from Jehoahaz’s legacy:
- Egyptian control: His deposing showed Egypt’s power over Judah at this time in history, portending greater judgment.
- Babylonian rising: Though Egypt asserted control after Josiah’s death, Babylon would eventually eclipse Egypt in Judah.
- Judah’s wicked kings: His wickedness continued the pattern of evil kings leading to Judah’s downfall.
- Jeremiah’s prophecies: His imprisonment and death fulfilled Jeremiah’s words against the king and the nation.
- Lost potential: His character was wanting, but his reign was too brief to enact change for good or ill.
More broadly, Jehoahaz’s deposition demonstrated God’s sovereign orchestration of the rise and fall of kings and nations (Daniel 2:21). Judah’s fate was sealed the moment Jehoahaz continued in the sins of his fathers by doing evil in God’s sight (2 Chronicles 36:4). That wickedness carried a price beyond just Jehoahaz’s short reign, leading ultimately to Jerusalem’s destruction, exile to Babylon, and the demise of the Davidic monarchy until the coming of Christ the Messiah.
Jehoahaz and the Kings of Judah
As the seventeenth king of Judah, Jehoahaz fits into the larger context of the Davidic monarchy ruling over God’s people from Jerusalem. A quick summary of the kings before and after Jehoahaz provides helpful perspective:
- Before Jehoahaz: The kingdom was divided between Israel (north) and Judah (south) after Solomon. Judah was ruled by David’s descendants alternatively characterized as good or evil. Jehoahaz’s father Josiah was a righteous reformer.
- Jehoahaz: Ruled wickedly for 3 months in 609 BC before being deposed by Egypt’s Pharaoh Necho II.
- Jehoiakim: Jehoahaz’s brother, formerly named Eliakim, was installed by Pharaoh Necho II and ruled from 609-598 BC, doing evil in God’s sight.
- Jehoiachin: Ruled wickedly in 598-597 BC for only 3 months before exile to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar II.
- Zedekiah: Jehoahaz’s brother ruled from 597-586 BC when Jerusalem fell to Babylon and Judah was exiled.
This succession of mostly evil kings proved the necessity of God’s judgment against Judah leading up to the Babylonian exile. Even the bright spot of King Josiah’s reforms failed to turn the nation back to God in repentance and faith. In this context, Jehoahaz appeared as just another wicked king bringing God’s wrath closer to fulfillment. Ultimately the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple came in 586 BC under Zedekiah’s failed leadership.
Jehoahaz in Biblical Prophecy
In alignment with his short reign and wicked legacy, Jehoahaz receives little direct attention from the biblical prophets. But a few prophecies provide insight about this period of Judah’s history involving Jehoahaz:
- Jeremiah’s prophecy – As mentioned earlier, Jeremiah 22:10-12 prophesied Jehoahaz would die in Egypt without seeing his homeland again.
- Jeremiah on Josiah – Jeremiah 22:15-17 indicates Josiah’s sons (including Jehoahaz) did not follow in his righteous ways.
- Zephaniah’s prophecies – Zephaniah 1:1 dates his prophecies to Josiah’s reign, indicting Judah’s leaders for idolatry and corruption which continued under Jehoahaz.
- Habakkuk’s prophecy – Habakkuk likely prophesied sometime during Josiah’s reign and the early years afterward, calling Judah to repentance before God’s judgment through Babylon.
These prophets make clear that Josiah’s reforms were not enough to reverse generations of wickedness by Judah’s kings and prevent God’s coming judgment. The rule of Jehoahaz and his brothers only brought that judgment closer to fulfillment. Jeremiah rightly called out Jehoahaz for his wickedness (Jeremiah 22:13-17), showing how little time remains before Judah’s exile to Babylon.
Lessons from Jehoahaz’s Life
Though his reign was brief and undistinguished, Jehoahaz’s life offers some important lessons:
- 1. Family legacy – Jehoahaz failed to follow his father Josiah’s righteous example and etnerd into evil and idolatry.
- 2. Rejecting wisdom – He apparently ignored the warnings of prophets like Jeremiah and Zephaniah to turn from sin.
- 3. God’s control – His rapid deposition by Pharaoh Necho showed God’s sovereignty over human kings and affairs.
- 4. Sin’s consequences – His continued wickedness contributed to Judah’s downfall within a few short decades.
- 5. Lost potential – His young age provided an opportunity for godly leadership cut short byPharaoh Necho.
For the people of Judah, Jehoahaz represented failed leadership and continuance of wicked kings bringing sure judgment. His life warns against rejecting wisdom, righteousness and reform when given the opportunity. Though his reign was short, its legacy lived on in Judah’s exile and finding that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).
Summary of Jehoahaz’s Life
In summary, here are the key facts to know about King Jehoahaz of Judah:
- He was the son of Josiah and reigned for only 3 months in 609 BC after his father’s death.
- The people chose him as king over his older brother Eliakim (Jehoiakim).
- He did evil in God’s sight, forsaking the reforms of his father Josiah.
- Pharaoh Necho II deposed him, imprisoned him in Egypt, and installed his brother as king instead.
- Jehoahaz died in captivity in Egypt without returning home as Jeremiah prophesied.
- His wickedness continued Judah’s path toward certain judgment and exile by Babylon.
- His short reign provided little time for impact beyond continuing royal evil and injustice.
As an almost forgettable king between Judah’s righteous high point under Josiah and the Babylonian exile, Jehoahaz mainly functions as a warning of unrighteousness bringing swift ruin. His life reminds us to value wisdom and godliness in leadership, neither of which he displayed. Though given power, he squandered his opportunity to turn Judah back to God. May we learn from his failure.