The king was likely Jehoiakim's son, Jehoiachin, who became king in 597 BC after his father's death. His mother was Nehushta (see 2 Kings 24:1–9). Jehoiachin was eighteen years old and ruled for only three months. This message was probably given during his brief reign. The Babylonians would soon take his crowns (see 2 Kings 24:11–16). They would also seize the treasures of the Temple and palace. The royalty and elite of Judah would be taken into exile. Meanwhile, Judah's southern neighbors would capture the towns of the Negev, the desert area from Beersheba to the Gulf of Aqaba.