The Kingdom of Judah finds itself cornered, crushed under the weight of military pressure from multiple fronts. This coordinated assault is not merely a political consequence, but the collision of an ancient divine decree and an immediate human rebellion.
Jehoiakim’s decision to rebel against the Babylonian empire triggers a severe military backlash [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל]. However, the roots of this disaster run much deeper. It is the realization of a judgment sealed generations earlier due to the severe sins of Manasseh [מלבי״ם]. Compounding this historical guilt are Jehoiakim’s own corrupt actions, leading God to decide that His patience has run out and He will no longer grant the king extra time [רד״ק].
Consequently, military troops from various nations, spearheaded by the Chaldeans, the Babylonian army, march against Judah [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This invasion operates simultaneously on two distinct levels. On a spiritual level, God awakens the desire within these nations, placing the urge to attack Judah directly into their hearts [מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. On a practical, earthly level, these armies are mobilized and dispatched by the direct orders of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon [רד״ק, אברבנאל, חומת אנך]. Even when they do not engage in a massive, continuous war, these regional forces constantly harass and squeeze the kingdom [ביאור שטיינזלץ].
The dynamic of who exactly orchestrates this invasion is understood in different ways. One perspective views the entire coalition as a single movement, with God directing the combined assault of all these nations to ensure the action is carried through [מצודת דוד, חומת אנך]. Another approach draws a distinction within the ranks: God directly decrees the arrival of the Chaldeans, while Nebuchadnezzar is the one who actively commands the surrounding nations to join the effort to destroy Judah [חומת אנך].
Ultimately, the purpose of these invading forces is to bring about Jehoiakim’s downfall, exactly as the prophets foretold. This relentless campaign leads to his second exile. He never reaches his destination, dying on the journey. His undignified end fulfills the prophecy of Jeremiah, which stated that the king would receive the burial of a donkey and be cast out beyond the gates of Jerusalem [אברבנאל].