Zedekiah
The Last King of Judah
Name Information
- Meaning: "The Lord is my righteousness"
- Language of Origin: Hebrew
- Gender Usage: Masculine
Zedekiah was the final king of Judah before its destruction by Babylon. Appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, he rebelled against Babylon despite warnings from the prophet Jeremiah. His refusal to heed God’s word led to Jerusalem’s fall, the temple’s destruction, and his own tragic end. His reign marks the end of the Davidic monarchy until Christ.
⏰ Judah’s Last Kings / Babylonian Exile
Roles
- King of Judah
- Rebel Against Babylon
Relationships
- Father: Josiah
- Nephew: Jehoiachin
- Prophet: Jeremiah
- Enemy: Nebuchadnezzar II
Story
Appointed king by Nebuchadnezzar after Jehoiachin’s exile.
Consulted Jeremiah but refused to obey God’s command to surrender.
Rebelled against Babylon, leading to a two-year siege of Jerusalem.
The Babylonians captured Jerusalem, burned the temple, and killed Zedekiah’s sons.
Zedekiah was blinded and taken in chains to Babylon, fulfilling prophecy.
Spiritual Significance
- Ignored repeated prophetic warnings from Jeremiah to submit to Babylon.
- Rebelled against Babylon, prompting the final siege of Jerusalem.
- Witnessed the slaughter of his sons before being blinded and taken to Babylon.
- His reign marked the end of Judah’s sovereignty until after the exile.
What We Can Learn
- Ignoring God’s word leads to disaster.
- True strength is found in obedience, not stubborn resistance.
- Sin’s consequences can be severe and final.
Memory Verses
I am about to give this city into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will capture it.
— Jeremiah 32:3
Key Passages
- 2 Kings 24:18–25:7
- Jeremiah 37–39
- Ezekiel 12:10–13
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