221 Thus says the Lord , "Go down to the house of the king of Judah , and there speak this word 2 and say , 'Hear the word of the Lord , O king of Judah , who sits on David's throne , you and your servants and your people who enter these gates . 3 'Thus says the Lord , " Do justice and righteousness , and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor . Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger , the orphan , or the widow ; and do not shed innocent blood in this place . 4 "For if you men will indeed perform this thing , then kings will enter the gates of this house , sitting in David's place on his throne , riding in chariots and on horses , even the king himself and his servants and his people . 5 " But if you will not obey these words , I swear by Myself," declares the Lord , "that this house will become a desolation .""' 6 For thus says the Lord concerning the house of the king of Judah : "You are like Gilead to Me, Like the summit of Lebanon ; Yet most e assuredly e I will make you like a wilderness , Like cities which are not inhabited . 7 "For I will set apart destroyers against you, Each with his weapons ; And they will cut down your choicest cedars And throw them on the fire . 8 "Many nations will pass by this city ; and they will say to one another , 'Why e has the Lord done thus to this great city ?' 9 "Then they will answer , 'Because e they forsook the covenant of the Lord their God and bowed down to other gods and served them.' "
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:1-9
Commentary on Jeremiah 22:1-9
(Read Jeremiah 22:1-9)
The king of Judah is spoken to, as sitting upon the throne of David, the man after God's own heart. Let him follow his example, that he may have the benefit of the promises made to him. The way to preserve a government, is to do the duty of it. But sin will be the ruin of the houses of princes, as well as of meaner men. And who can contend with destroyers of God's preparing? God destroys neither persons, cities, nor nations, except for sin; even in this world he often makes it plain for what crimes he sends punishment; and it will be clear at the day of judgement.