Zedekiah's installation as king by Nebuchadnezzar, following Jehoiachin's removal, indicates that the Babylonian king had decided direct governance through a compliant vassal was preferable to the conflict that had characterized his relationships with prior Judahite kings. The mention of Zedekiah's age and reign length (twenty-one years) suggests that Nebuchadnezzar anticipated a longer-term vassal arrangement. The notation that he was Josiah's son (actually grandson) connects him back to the reformed era while suggesting that his leadership would not recapture the vision or the commitment that had characterized his illustrious ancestor. This verse introduces the final Judahite king before the exile.

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