Definition: Jehoiakim [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD his God.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 36:5. It's a really important and somewhat troubling passage about King Jehoiakim’s reign. Here’s a simplified explanation: What it says: “2 Chronicles 36:5 Jehoiakim [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD his God.” Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “2 Chronicles 36:5” : This is a specific verse from the Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles, detailing this event. It's a key part of understanding how Jehoiakim ruled. “Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old…” : This tells us who the event happened to – King Jehoiakim, who was just beginning his reign as king. He was young and still relatively new to the position. “…when he began to reign…” : This sets the time frame for what’s happening. It's about the beginning of his rule. “and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem…” : He ruled for eleven years, which is a significant amount of time during this period. “…and he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD his God.” : This is where it gets important. This is the core of the verse and highlights what went wrong with his reign. "Evil" doesn't necessarily mean a violent act, but rather wrongdoing , disobedience, or straying from God’s will. It means he acted in ways that displeased God. So, what does this all mean? This verse describes a time when Jehoiakim, as king, started to make decisions and actions that weren't aligned with God's instructions. He was acting badly – perhaps through idolatry (worshiping other gods), ignoring divine guidance, or making choices that went against what God commanded. It’s a clear indication of a shift in his leadership and a loss of favor with God. Why is this important? This story is seen as a warning about the dangers of pride, disobedience, and focusing on things other than God. It's a reminder that even those in positions of power should be mindful of their relationship with God and strive to follow His will. It’s a situation where the king prioritized his own desires or opinions over what was truly right. In short: Jehoiakim started his reign, but he acted badly and disobeyed God, leading to a loss of favor and a period of trouble in Jerusalem. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Connect it to a specific story or event in the Bible?