JEHOIAKIN, otherwise JECONIA11, was eighteen years of age when he succeeded his father in B.C. 597 (2 Kings, xxiv ; in 2 Citron. xxxvi. it is said eight years old). Ho reigned three months and ten days, "and did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord." Jeru salem was again besieged and taken by Nebuchadnezzar, who carried him away prisoner to Babylon, with all the treasure from the temple and palace which he could collect, the princes and "men of valour," and all that "were strong and apt for war." Among these captives was Ezekiel, the future prophet. He then made Mettaniah, his brother, king of Judah, changing his name to Zedekials under whom Jerusalem was again taken, and the remainder of the nation carried into captivity. Jehoiakin passed a long life in Babylon, and in the thirty-seventh year of his imprisonment Evil-merodach, then king of Babylon, released him from prison, and "set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon," with an allowance "for every day all the days of his life." JEHOItAM, or JORAM, king of Israel, was the son of Ahab, and succeeded his brother Ahaziah in D.C. 907. He continued the insti tutions of Jeroboam, but be destroyed the images of Baal and all the grosser idolatries. The Moabitea, who had been tributary to Israel, revolted, and Jehoram sought the assistance of Jehoshaphat of Judah to subdue them. On advancing into the country the army was distressed for water, and the kings sought the advice and assistance of the prophet Elisha, who predicted a miraculous supply of water, and the defeat of the Moabites. This took place; the cities were beaten down, and the lands devastated. Shortly afterwards Israel was
attacked by the Syrians, but the storm was diverted by the miracu lous interposition of Elieha. Again the Syrians under Ben-hailed invaded Israel, and besieged Samaria, which suffered the most intense severities of famine, and was reduced to the most revolting extremities. A miracle, as foretold by Eliaha, again saved them. A panic terror seized the host, who fled in the night, leaving abundance of provisions, their tents, horses, and everything, and "fled for their life." Jehoram seems to have felt some gratitude; he inquired as to "all the great things that Elisha had dune ; " and he restored her lands to the Shunamite woman who, believing Elishee prophecy of the famine, had left the country, and was now returned. Elated with his success ho allied himself with Ahazinh, king of Judah, to recover Itamoth-Oilead from the Syrians, whose sovereign now was Hazael, who had mur dered his predecessor, as foretold by Elialia. Before this place Jehoram was wounded by an arrow, and withdrew to Jezreel with his nephew Ahaziah in order to be cured, leaving the siege to be couducted by John. While recovering Jehu had been conspiring against him, and advanced to Jezroel with a largo armed force. The two kings went to meet him, and, in the field of Naboth, Jehoram, discovering the hostile designs of Jehu, turned his chariot and fled, but was killed by an arrow shot by Jehu, and Ahaziah escaped with i difficulty. Jehu thus attained the throne in 895 B.C.