Can this be the third year of Yehoyakim? Nebuchadnetzar became king only Yehoyakim's fourth year (Yirmeyah 25:1)!
Rashi: It was in the third year of Yehoyakim's rebellion, like it says in Melachim II, 24:1. In his second year, Nebuchadnetzar conquered Yehoyakim. Yehoyakim served him for three years, and rebelled three years, and then Nebuchadnetzar came. Yehoyakim died, and Nebuchadnetzar appointed his son Yehoyachin in place of him.
Ibn Ezra: It was the third year after Pharaoh appointed Yehoyakim king. Nebuchadnetzar came and besieged Yerushalayim, and conquered him at the beginning of Yehoyakim's fourth year. He took him to Bavel, and returned him to Yerushalayim. He served Nebuchadnetzar for three years, and then rebelled. Nebuchadnetzar or his troops came to Yerushalayim and killed him, His son Yehoyachin ruled for three months, and Nebuchadnetzar seized him; Tzidkiyah succeeded him. 1
Malbim: The years of Jewish kings are counted from Nisan. Perhaps Yehoyakim became king in Adar, and we count Nisan as his second year, but the Kasdim count it as his first year ("in his third year" is based on their count; Yirmeyah calls it his fourth year based on our count).
Ibn Ezra: Daniel was 15 when he left Yerushalayim. There were another eight years of Yehoyakim and 11 of Tzidkiyah before the Churban, so he was 34 at the time of the Churban. There were 70 years [from the Churban until Bayis Sheni], so he was very old in the days of Esther; perhaps he already died, and did not ascend to Bayis Sheni. Clear proofs show that he is not Sheshbatzar (refer to 6:29:2:1). (Ibn Ezra explains simple meaning, without deference to Chazal. Hasach is Daniel (Megilah 15a); Haman killed him (Pirkei d'R. Eliezer 50). ? PF)
