Zedekiah
20th and Last King of Judah
597–586 BC
Father
Josiah
Biography
Zedekiah was placed on Judah's throne by Nebuchadnezzar and swore an oath of loyalty to him by God, but later broke that oath by rebelling and seeking help from Egypt. He was a man of weak character who knew the truth — he regularly sought Jeremiah's counsel and acknowledged the prophet spoke the truth — but consistently lacked the courage to act on it. He feared his officials more than he feared God. When the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem began in 588 BC, Jeremiah urged surrender, but the officials had Jeremiah thrown into a cistern. Zedekiah had Jeremiah pulled out but still would not submit to Babylon. The siege lasted 18 months; famine became severe. When the walls were breached, Zedekiah fled at night but was captured in the plains of Jericho. Nebuchadnezzar killed his sons before his eyes, then put out his eyes — so the last thing he saw was his sons' deaths. He was taken to Babylon in bronze chains. Jerusalem was burned and the Temple destroyed — ending the monarchy of Judah.
Key Events
Nebuchadnezzar made Mattaniah king and changed his name to Zedekiah; he swore loyalty by God's name
Secretly met with Jeremiah multiple times, seeking the word of the LORD but fearing to obey it
Officials convinced Zedekiah to put Jeremiah in a cistern; Zedekiah allowed him to be rescued but still did not submit
Rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, breaking his covenant oath — triggering the final Babylonian siege of Jerusalem
Babylon besieged Jerusalem for 18 months; famine became severe; walls were breached in 586 BC
Fled at night but captured at Jericho; his sons killed before him, his eyes put out; taken to Babylon in chains
Nebuzaradan burned the Temple, the palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem; broke down the city walls
Spiritual Significance
Zedekiah is a tragic study in the cost of moral cowardice. He knew the truth — Jeremiah told him plainly, repeatedly — but he chose the approval of men over the commands of God. He is a warning that knowledge of what is right, without the courage to do it, leads to the worst outcomes.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Genuine interest in God's word, some mercy shown toward Jeremiah personally
Weaknesses
Moral cowardice, fear of officials, oath-breaking, rebellion against God's clear directive, inability to act on truth he acknowledged
Lessons
Moral cowardice is one of leadership's most destructive sins. Zedekiah had access to divine truth through Jeremiah but consistently chose the fear of men over the fear of God. When we know what God requires and refuse it out of fear, we surrender both our destiny and those under our care.
Related Characters
Josiah
Father
Jehoiachin
Nephew who preceded him
Jeremiah
Prophet he consulted but did not obey
Nebuchadnezzar
Babylonian king who installed then destroyed him
Nebuzaradan
Babylonian commander who burned Jerusalem