Zedekiah was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile. His life is marked by rebellion, tragedy, and a deep struggle between faith and fear. The Bible gives us insight into his choices, consequences, and God's judgment on a disobedient nation.
1. Zedekiah Was the Last King of Judah
Zedekiah was the 20th and final king of Judah before the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. He ruled for 11 years.
2 Kings 24:18 – “Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years.”
2. His Real Name Was Mattaniah
Zedekiah was originally named Mattaniah. The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar changed his name when placing him on the throne.
2 Kings 24:17 – “Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah.”
3. He Was Installed by Babylon, but Rebelled Against Them
Even though Nebuchadnezzar made him king, Zedekiah later turned against Babylon and broke his oath of loyalty.
2 Chronicles 36:13 – “He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear allegiance by God.”
4. Zedekiah Ignored the Prophet Jeremiah
Jeremiah often warned Zedekiah to surrender to Babylon to avoid destruction. Zedekiah listened but was too afraid to obey.
Jeremiah 38:19 – “King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, ‘I am afraid of the Jews who have gone over to the Babylonians...’”
5. He Secretly Sought God's Word
Though publicly he ignored Jeremiah, Zedekiah privately asked for God’s guidance—showing his inner conflict.
Jeremiah 37:17 – “Then King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought to the palace, where he asked him privately, ‘Is there any word from the Lord?’”
6. Zedekiah Tried to Escape During the Siege
When Babylon attacked Jerusalem, Zedekiah fled at night through a gate near the king’s garden, but he was captured.
Jeremiah 39:4-5 – “They fled the city at night... But the Babylonian army pursued them... and they captured Zedekiah.”
7. He Witnessed His Sons' Execution
One of the most heartbreaking parts of Zedekiah’s story is what happened after he was captured.
Jeremiah 39:6 – “The king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes...”
8. His Eyes Were Put Out
After witnessing the death of his sons, Zedekiah was blinded and taken to Babylon in chains.
Jeremiah 39:7 – “Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.”
This fulfilled the prophecy in Ezekiel 12:13 — “he will not see it, though he will die there.”
9. He Died in Babylon
Zedekiah spent the rest of his life imprisoned in Babylon. The Bible doesn’t record the exact date of his death but confirms it happened there.
Jeremiah 52:11 – “He put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze shackles. The king of Babylon put him in prison till the day of his death.”
10. His Fall Was a Fulfillment of Prophecy
Zedekiah’s story ties into many prophetic warnings. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and other prophets spoke of Judah’s fall because of disobedience.
Jeremiah 34:2 – “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Go to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am about to give this city into the hands of the king of Babylon...’”
Summary Table
| Fact | Scripture Reference | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Last King of Judah | 2 Kings 24:18 | Reigned 11 years before exile |
| Name Was Mattaniah | 2 Kings 24:17 | Renamed Zedekiah by Nebuchadnezzar |
| Rebelled Against Babylon | 2 Chronicles 36:13 | Broke oath and rebelled |
| Ignored Jeremiah | Jeremiah 38:19 | Feared people more than God |
| Secretly Asked for God's Word | Jeremiah 37:17 | Inner conflict between fear and faith |
| Tried to Escape | Jeremiah 39:4-5 | Fled but was captured |
| Sons Executed Before Him | Jeremiah 39:6 | Watched their death |
| Eyes Were Put Out | Jeremiah 39:7 | Taken blind to Babylon |
| Died in Babylon | Jeremiah 52:11 | Imprisoned until his death |
| Fulfilled Prophecy | Jeremiah 34:2, Ezekiel 12:13 | His fall was foretold |
