King Jehoahaz

King Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah, briefly reigned over Judah in 609 BC before being deposed by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt. His reign is recorded in 2 Kings 23:31-34 and 2 Chronicles 36:1-4.

Jehoahaz, also known as Shallum (Jer. 22:11), was 23 years old when he became king after the death of his father, Josiah. The people of Judah, rather than following the normal dynastic succession, chose Jehoahaz over his older brother Eliakim (Jehoiakim). This decision reflects a period of political instability and foreshadows Judah’s decline.

Unlike his father, Jehoahaz "did evil in the sight of the Lord" (2 Kings 23:32). Though the Bible does not detail his specific sins, his reign followed a pattern of covenant rebellion, characteristic of many of Judah’s kings.

Even though Jehoahaz was raised under the reforms of Josiah, his heart remained corrupt, proving that external reforms alone cannot change a person’s sinful nature (Jer. 17:9).

Jehoahaz’s reign lasted only three months before Pharaoh Neco removed him and took him captive to Egypt (2 Kings 23:33-34). Neco replaced him with his older brother Eliakim, renaming him Jehoiakim to assert Egyptian control. Additionally, Judah was forced to pay heavy tribute to Egypt.

Jehoahaz’s deposition was not merely a political event but a fulfillment of God's sovereign judgment. Judah’s sin had provoked God’s judgment, and He used foreign nations like Egypt to discipline His people (Deut. 28:36). This aligns with the biblical theme that when God's people reject Him, He hands them over to foreign rulers as a form of divine chastisement (Hab. 1:5-6).

Jehoahaz was taken in chains to Egypt, where he died in exile (2 Kings 23:34; Jer. 22:10-12). This was a profound sign of divine judgment. Unlike his father Josiah, who was mourned by the nation (2 Chron. 35:24-25), Jehoahaz was forgotten. The prophet Jeremiah lamented that he would never return to Judah (Jer. 22:11-12), highlighting that his fate was part of God’s covenant curses (Deut. 28:36).

His story reflects the futility of human kingship apart from God. Despite Judah’s hopes in Jehoahaz, his failure reinforces that no earthly ruler can bring true salvation—only the promised Messianic King, Jesus Christ, can.