15. Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin to Babylon, along with his mother, his wives, his officials, and the most important leaders of Judah.
16. He also led away seven thousand soldiers, one thousand skilled workers, and anyone who would be useful in battle.
17. Then Nebuchadnezzar appointed Jehoiachin's uncle Mattaniah king of Judah and changed his name to Zedekiah.
18. Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he was appointed king of Judah, and he ruled from Jerusalem for eleven years. His mother Hamutal was the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah.
19. Zedekiah disobeyed the Lord, just as Jehoiakim had done.
20. It was Zedekiah who finally rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar.The people of Judah and Jerusalem had made the Lord so angry that he finally turned his back on them. That's why these horrible things were happening.