The History of the Old Testament Methodized, Chapter 5 · Section 19 · Concurrent kings · Judah · Jehohaaz
WE read of four Sons Ioſiah had, 1 Chron. 3.15. Iohanan, Iehoiakim, Zedekiah, The 17th. that reigned in the Kingdom of Judah, JEHOAHAZ the ſon of JOSIAH.and Shallum. Probably Iohanan the firſt-born died before his Father, for of him we find no where elſe any mention. But the youngeſt Son Shallum having his name changed into Iehoahaz, (perhaps becauſe of the ill fate of Shallum the Son of Iabeſh King of Iſrael who reigned but one month, and was murdered by Menahem, 2 King. 15.13.) was anointed King by the people though he was the youngeſt of Ioſiah's Sons, either becauſe he was beſt affected to the King of Babylon, or moſt warlike and valiant, and ſo moſt likely to defend them againſt Necho King of Egypt. He was twenty three years old when he began to reign, and reigned only three months. He quickly fell to do that which was evil in the ſight of the Lord, and preſently ſet up the Idolatry that his Father Ioſiah had ſuppreſſed. It ſeems he alſo grievouſly oppreſſed the people, and therefore he is compared to a young lion which devoureth men, Ezek. 19.2, 3, 4.
The Prophet Ieremy is ſent by the Lord to the new Kings Palace, earneſtly to exhort him and his Courtiers, and all the people to repentance and amendment of their lives, foretelling them that Shallum or Iehoahaz ſhould be carried away captive into Egypt, and bidding the people not to weep for him that is departed (meaning Ioſiah) but for him that is to depart (meaning Iehoahaz) becauſe he ſhall return no more to ſee his native ſoil. Ier. 22. from 1, to 13.
Pharoah Necho returning with victory from Charchemiſh (where he vanquiſhed the Babylonians) was deſirous to revenge the oppoſition he had received from Ioſiah, (who ſought to ſtop him in his paſſage through his Country) and therefore making uſe of the diſſention that was between Iehoahaz and Eliakim his Elder Brother, and getting Iehoahaz or Shallum into his power, he preſently depoſed him, (as if the Kingdom of Iudea had been at his dipoſal) and ſet up his Eldeſt Brother Eliakim changing his name into Iehoiakim, and then impoſing upon the land a Tribute of an hundred talents of ſilver, and one talent of gold, he put Shallum or Iehoahaz into fetters at Riblah, and carried him away with him priſoner into Egypt, where he ended his life.
2 King. 23. from 30, to 36.
2 Chron. 36. from 1, to 5.