Verse 36. - Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign - he was therefore two years older than his brother Jehoahaz (see the comment on ver. 31) - and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem - probably from B.C. 608 to B.C. 597 - and his mother's name was Zebudah - he was, therefore, only half-brother to Jehoahaz and Zedekiah, whose mother was "Hamutal" (see ver. 31 and 2 Kings 24:18) - the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah. "Rumah" is probably the same city as the "Arumah" of Judges 9:41, which was in the vicinity of Shechem.

23:31-37 After Josiah was laid in his grave, one trouble came on another, till, in twenty-two years, Jerusalem was destroyed. The wicked perished in great numbers, the remnant were purified, and Josiah's reformation had raised up some to join the few who were the precious seed of their future church and nation. A little time, and slender abilities, often suffice to undo the good which pious men have, for a course of years, been labouring to effect. But, blessed be God, the good work which he begins by his regenerating Spirit, cannot be done away, but withstands all changes and temptations.Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign,.... And therefore must be two years older than his brother Jehoahaz, who was deposed:

and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem; and therefore must die at the age of thirty and six:

and his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah; which Josephus (l) calls Abuma; but he speaks of a village in Galilee called Ruma (m); but whether the same with this is not certain.

(l) Antiqu. l. 10. c. 5. sect. 2.((m) De Bello Jud l. 3. c. 6. sect. 21.