Zedekiah ruled Jerusalem for eleven years, from 597 to 586 BC, and was as evil as Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:36–37). The Lord was punishing Jerusalem and Judah for their sins (see 2 Kings 17:19; 20:16–17; 21:12–15; 22:15–20; 23:26–27).
Zedekiah also rebelled: His rebellion might have been part of an anti-Babylonian alliance led by Pharaoh Apries of Egypt. When Apries became king around 589 BC, he wanted to restore Egypt's former glory. Zedekiah seemed to trust him (compare Ezekiel 17:15–18). However, like earlier kings (2 Kings 17:4; 24:1–3), Zedekiah found that Egypt offered little help (compare 2 Kings 18:20–21; Jeremiah 37:3–10; Ezekiel 29:6–7).