After Josiah’s death, his son Jehoahaz, also known as Shallum, was made king bypassing his older brothers probably because of his anti-Egyptian stance like his father (1Ch 3:15). But his kingship lasted only three months before he was captured by Pharoh Neco (v.33). His older brother Eliakim was made king by Pharaoh, who changed his name to Jehoiakim (v.34).

Jehoiakim became Pharaoh’s vassal (v. 35), and refused to accept the word of the Lord through Jeremiah (Jer 36:22-24,28,29) concerning the invasion of the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, who God was using as the rod of discipline (24:1-2). Jehoiakim would have murdered the prophet Jeremiah if it hadn’t been for the LORD’s intervention (Jer 36:26). But he was responsible for the murder of the prophet Uriah, who had the same message for him as Jeremiah (Jer 26:20-24).

His father King Josiah had carried out spiritual reformation and had undone evil practices his grandfather Manasseh had started (vv. 3-4). But Josiah’s sons, who had succeeded him as king, did not continue the spiritual legacy of their father.
Application: Father, you have granted us your great servants to learn from. Please help us continue their legacy with a learning mind and overcome the evils of this world which they also fought against valiantly. Amen.
One Word: Remember our spiritual heritage