221 Thus said Jehovah, 'Go down 'to' the house of the king of Judah, and thou hast spoken there this word, and hast said, 2 Hear a word of Jehovah, O king of Judah, who art sitting on the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people, who are coming in at these gates, 3 Thus said Jehovah: Do ye judgment and righteousness, And deliver the plundered from the hand of the oppressor, And sojourner, orphan, and widow, ye do not oppress nor wrong, And innocent blood ye do not shed in this place. 4 For, if ye certainly do this thing, Then come in by the gates of this house Have kings sitting for David on his throne, Riding on chariot, and on horses, He, and his servants, and his people. 5 And if ye do not hear these words, By myself I have sworn—an affirmation of Jehovah, That this house is for a desolation. 6 For thus said Jehovah, Concerning the house of the king of Judah: Gilead 'art' thou to Me—head of Lebanon, If not—I make thee a wilderness, Cities not inhabited. 7 And I have separated for thee destroyers, Each with his weapons, And they have cut down the choice of thy cedars, And have cast them on the fire. 8 And many nations have passed by this city, And they have said, each to his neighbour, For what hath Jehovah done thus to this great city? 9 And they have said, 'Because that they have forsaken The covenant of Jehovah their God, And bow themselves to other gods, and serve 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.