Jer. 22 God sendeth the prophet to court with promises, Jer. 22:1–4, and threats against the king’s house and Jerusalem, Jer. 22:5–9. The judgment of Shallum, Jer. 22:10–12; of Jehoiakim, Jer. 22:13–19; and of Coniah, Jer. 22:20–30.

Some by the king of Judah, here mentioned, understand Jehoahaz. made king upon the death of Josiah by the people, (being the second son of Josiah,) 2 Kings 23:30.

None is so great but he is obliged to hear the word of the Lord. The prophet’s mentioning him under the notion of him that sat upon the throne of David, both minds him of God’s faithfulness, who had promised that David should not want one to sit on his throne; and his duty, to walk in the steps of…

That is, Administer justice to all your subjects. The stranger, the fatherless, and the widow are particularly named, as persons who have fewest friends, and so are most exposed to the lusts of great men, who have a power to oppress them. Two things are observable: 1.

If ye do this thing indeed; if ye will not pretendedly, but really, give to every one their due, and look that inferior magistrates acting under you do so.

By hearing the prophet meaneth hearkening to and obeying. God accounteth us to hear no more than we practise. If (saith the prophet) you will not execute judgment, &c., I give you the greatest assurance imaginable that this noble house of David shall become a desolation.

Interpreters are not agreed in what sense God saith that the king’s house of Judah was unto him as Gilead, or the head of Lebanon. Gilead was a country fertile for pastures; upon which account the Reubenites and Gadites, being men whose estates lay in cattle, begged it of Moses for their portion,…

They shall not only be edged with their own lusts and malice; but commissioned and influenced by me, and shall come sufficiently prepared for their work. And they shall cut down and burn thy buildings, which are made of goodly cedars.

According to God’s threatenings, Deut. 29:24, 1 Kings 9:8. Though the Jews would not understand that there was a cause, yet others would understand it, and inquire into it.

Some shall answer them, or they shall answer one another, Surely it is because they have broken the Divine law, which the Israelites made a covenant, Ex. 19:8, Ex. 24:3, Ex. 24:7, Deut. 5:27, upon which account their sinning was an apostacy, and a forsaking their covenant.

Weep not for Josiah your dead prince, for whom there was a great mourning, 2 Chron. 35:25, mentioned Zech. 12:11. Josiah is happy, you need not trouble yourselves for him; but weep for Jehoahaz, who is to go, or is gone, into captivity: Jehoahaz was set up upon his father’s death by the people, 2…

Who this Shallum was is a little doubted. Some think it was Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, 1 Chron. 3:15, called Johanan: there is also mentioned one Shallum, but he is there mentioned as the fourth son of Josiah. In the Book of Kings we read only of three sons which Josiah had, viz.

So as he returned no more to see his native country, as is there said. But others think this Shallum was Josiah’s fourth son, that Johanan died before his father, and the people made Shallum his youngest son king, calling him Jehoahaz, so as he reigned immediately after Josiah.

We have not here any certain guidance to let us know whether the prophet intended Jehoahaz or Jehoiakim; both of them did evil in the sight of the Lord, as we read in their story.

That is, Woe to that man, who suffering oppression in his government, or making it his business himself to oppress, yet buildeth himself great houses and large chambers, ceiling them with cedar, promising himself prosperity and splendour, notwithstanding his wicked courses! for otherwise, it is…

Art thou so vain as to think that brave houses will continue thy kingdom? Thou art mistaken; magnificent buildings are not those things which establish a prince’s throne.

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; by himself in person, for the kings of Israel and Judah often sat personally to judge causes; or by setting such judges as did it, administering justice impartially, particularly to such as in respect of their low condition were most exposed to the power…

All that thou lookest after, and that thy heart is set upon, is thy own grandeur and riches. And to make thyself great, thou makest no difficulty to destroy thy subjects that are innocent, and have not deserved death, and to oppress others, using all manner of violence against them.

Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; a very bad son of a good father, whose name was Eliakim, by Pharaoh-nechoh turned to Jehoiakim, 2 Kings 23:34, and by him set up. He reigned wickedly, and infinitely oppressed the people for money for Pharaoh-nechoh, that made him king, 2 Kings 23:35.

He shall be buried with the burial of an ass; that is, he shall not be buried at all, or he shall be buried in an indecent and contemptible manner, none attending him to his grave, none mourning for him.

The Hebrew verb being feminine, lets us know that Jerusalem was the place to which this speech is directed; to the inhabitants of which the prophet here calleth to go up to Lebanon; and to Bashan.

I, by my prophets, spake to thee while all things went well with thee, so as thou hast not sinned ignorantly or without warning; I have not surprised thee with my judgments, but thou refusedst to hearken and obey my admonitions and precepts.

Either a vain hope and presumption shall destroy thy rulers and governors who flatter time with promises of prosperity; or a judgment shall seize them, that shall be like a violent wind, which presently scattereth the clouds and the smoke; or they shall be blasted by my judgments, as plants are…

Jerusalem, which is called an inhabitant of Lebanon, either because their houses were built of wood cut down out of the forest of Lebanon, or because they lived in as great plenty and delight as if they lived in Lebanon, or because they thought the mountain of Lebanon was a certain refuge to them.

By Coniah he meaneth Jehoiachim, 2 Kings 24:8, whose name was Jeconiah, 1 Chron. 3:16, (for all Josiah’s sons had two names, and so had his grandchild Jeconiah,) here in contempt called Coniah.

That is, into the power of the Chaldeans and Babylonians, whom they were afraid of, and justly, for they thirsted after their blood and ruin.

Jeconiah’s mother was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem, 2 Kings 24:8, Jer. 22:12, the fulfilling of this prophecy is recorded; and it is said that Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, &c., so Jer.

That is, they shall never come again to Jerusalem; though they be fond of it as their native country, and may promise themselves such favours from the king of Babylon, yet there shall no such thing be their portion.

The prophet either speaketh this in the person of God. or of the people, who are here brought in, affirming that this prince, who was the idol of the people, was now, through the just judgment of God, become like a broken idol; or like a vessel which men care not for, being either so cracked, or so…

By earth he either means the land of Judah, to which he calls thrice, to signify the deafness of this people, and unwillingness to hear and believe what God spake by him; or else he calls to the whole earth, as he calls heaven and earth to witness, Deut. 30:19, Deut. 32:1, Isa. 1:2, Isa. 34:1, Jer.

The word translated childless is but thrice read in holy writ, and by various interpreters translated barren, not increasing, empty, full of sorrow, wanting children, &c.