JEHOIAKIM, son of Josiah (q.v.) and king of Judah (2 Kings xxiii. 34–xxiv. 6; Jer. xxii. 13-19). On the death of Josiah at Megiddo his younger son Jehoahaz (or Shallum) was chosen by the Judaeans, but the Egyptian conqueror Necho summoned him to his headquarters at Riblah and removed him to Egypt, ap pointing in his stead Jehoiakim. For a time Jehoiakim remained under the protection of Necho and paid heavy tribute ; but with the rise of the new Chaldean empire under Nebuchadrezzar II., and the overthrow of Egypt at the battle of Carchemish (6o5 B.c.) a vital change occurred. After three years of allegiance the king
revolted. Invasions followed by Chaldeans, Syrians, Moabites and Ammonites, perhaps the advance troops despatched by the Baby lonian king; the power of Egypt was broken and the whole land came into the hands of Nebuchadrezzar. It was at the close of Jehoiakim's reign, apparently just before his death, that the enemy appeared at the gates of Jerusalem, and although Jehoiakim "slept with his fathers" his young son was destined to see the first cap tivity of the land of Judah (597 B.c.).