מלכים ב, פרק כ״ד, פסוק ו׳

The account of King Jehoiakim’s death creates an image of a peaceful passing and an honorable rest, but a tragic and humiliating reality lies beneath the surface. While the description implies he was laid to rest with his ancestors, it merely indicates his departure from the living world, similar to the concept of being gathered to one's people. In truth, Jehoiakim never received a proper burial, let alone a royal one in the tombs of his predecessors.

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had bound him in copper fetters to take him into exile. During the journey, while being dragged by his captors, Jehoiakim died in their hands. This grim end fulfilled a harsh prophecy that he would suffer the burial of a donkey. Instead of resting with his family, his body was dragged and discarded in disgrace along the road, left completely unburied [רש י ומצודת דוד].