We read 2 Kings 24:1 and 2 Chronicles 36:6 as a parallel. Nebuchadnezzar invaded the country. According to 2 Chronicles, he led Jehoiakim to Babylon. When he had convinced himself of Jehoiakim’s loyalty, he let him return to Jerusalem, where he ruled as a vassal on behalf of Nebuchadnezzar (the focus of 2 Kings). But in Judah there was still a lobby pushing to join Egypt. From Jeremiah 26:20–23 it appears that there was a good relationship between Egypt and the rulers of Judah (for without the cooperation of Egypt Uriah could not have been delivered). The prophet Jeremiah has warned several times against trusting Egypt. Apparently in vain, because Jehoiakim, persuaded by the pro-Egypt lobby, revolts and will have hoped, in vain, for help from Egypt. The Judean countryside was occupied by troops of the enemy (see 2 Kings 24:2). Jehoiakim sat powerless in the besieged Jerusalem (see 2 Kings 24:10). During that time Jehoiakim died. Whether the expression slept with his fathers
also means here that he was buried (with his fathers) is questionable, for Jeremiah 22:18–19 and Jeremiah 36:30 speak of a burial of a donkey. Perhaps he was killed in a fallout, his body was dishonoured outside the city wall, and his corpse was finally returned by the Babylonians. See 2 Kings 24:8 about his successor Jehoiachin.
6 So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers, and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place.