CHAP. XXII.
The prophet is sent to the king's palace, to exhort him and his people to various duties, with conditional promises and threatenings, 1-9. The people are told not to weep for Josiah; but to lament for Shallum, who was carried captive to return no
HUS saith the Lord; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word;
2 And say, Hear the word of the that sittest upon
more, 10-12. Severe rebukes of Jehoiakim, and a dreadful LORD, O king of Judah,
sentence against him, 13-19. The Jews, who had been rebellious in prosperity, would be rendered more pliant by suffering, 20-23. The doom of Jeconiah, and others of David's family, 24-30.
The hollow surface of this rock at the top, in 'which, ... levelled, or regularly formed by art, 'the foundations of the buildings were laid. Blayney. Indeed the city was thought impregnable, and therefore the inhabitants flattered themselves that they should escape; for none would be able to enter their walls, though the adjacent countries should be wasted. But the Lord declared that he was against them, and would destroy them. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , Lam . 4:12. Ez . 20:45-48. Zech . 11:1-3.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
22:19. Is. 1:10. 28:14. 34:7. Am. 7:16.
a 21:11. 34:2. 1 Sam. 15:16-b 29. 13:18. 19:3. 29:20. 1 Kings 23. 2 Sam. 12:1. 24:11,12. 1 Ez. Kings 21:18-20. 2 Chr. 19: 2,3. 25:15,16.33:10. Hos. 5:1. Am. 7:13. Mark 6 18. Luke 3:19,20.
с 4,30. 17:25. 29:16,17. 36:30. Is. 9:7. Luke 1:32.
ancestors, should be exhorted to imitate them; and they, who are placed in authority, should be reminded to execute justice and do do good: otherwise these distinctions will the more expose men, when "the fury of the LORD goeth forth like fire, and burneth, that none can quench it, because of the evil of their doings." He sets himself especially against those, who presumptuously defy defy his th threatenings: and he will let them know, that none of their devices or confidences can withstand the power of his righteous indignation.
NOTES.
The most obstinate sinners, yea, the most virulent persecutors, have seasons of compunetion, and are sometimes convinced that their faithful reprovers are wiser and happier than they themselves are. So that in seasons of urgent distress and peril, men frequently desire the counsels and prayers of the very persons, whom at other times they despise or oppose: and thus the servants of God pass "through honor and dishonor, through evil and good report." Such men indeed only inquire after deliverance from punishment: ( P. O.
Matt . 8:28-34.) if the Lord would deal with them according to the riches of his power and mercy, in saving them from suffering, and then leave them to indulge themselves in sin, they would be reconciled to him and to his ministers: and they will meet with teachers, who will encourage them on this plan, for a valuable consideration to themselves.
But the faithful servant of God is zealous for his Master's honor, and adheres to his instructions: he can encourage no man, who refuses to "repent and do works meet for repentance:" he will constantly maintain, that those who hate and disobey the precepts, have no interest in the promises of God; and that he will not deal with hypocrites according to the wonders which he performs for his people.
When they, who stand out in obstinate disobedience, would presume on external privileges: let them be told, that God will prosper his open enemies against them; nay, that he will baffle all their efforts, and fight against them by his own out-stretched arm, and not spare them or shew them any favor. Yet intimations of mercy are couched under the severest denunciations: and in the most tremendous public calamities, there is hope for individuals of escaping the wrath to come.
No sinner on earth, who desires to avail himself of a refuge, is left without one: life and death are continually set before men: but the way of life is humiliating; humiliating; it requires self-denial and singularity, and exposes men to difficulty and reproach. Few therefore choose it; but most persist in that course, against which the most awful vengeance of God is denounced. In all possible circumstances the way of duty is the safest and most advantageous; and will tend to alleviate those miseries, which cannot be entirely avoided.
When sinners therefore inquire about events , they should be directed to the duties of their stations: those who are descended from pioussary to address him by name.
CHAP. XXII. V. 1. Some interpreters suppose that this chapter contains two distinct messages, the one ending at the twentieth verse, sent to Jehoiakim; and the other afterwards to Jeconiah or Jehoiachin his son: but there is in it not the most remote intimation of this. Others suppose, that the whole chapter was addressed to Jeconiah: and that the former part was a recapitulation of messages formerly delivered to Johoiakim: but there is great difficulty, in applying the conclusion of the address to Jeconiah.
It has therefore been supposed by a few, that the whole was addressed to Zedekiah, in the beginning of his reign, before matters were come to a crisis; and that it is a continuation of the subject of the preceding chapter. This interpretation 1 accede to: but without being very confident in so doubtful a matter.
If this point could be ascertained, the difficulties would vanish, which upon other interpretations are almost, if not quite, insuperable; as it will be shewn: but there is no evidence on either side, except the chapter itself, compared with the context, of which the reader will judge for himself.
Yet it seems very reasonable to expect, that after Jeremiah had answered Zedekiah's inquiries by his messengers; the Lord should send him in person to confirm and enforce his word, in the manner here recorded: and the abrupt opening of the chapter, as well as its coincidence with the preceding, favors this opinion. ( Notes , 2-5. 21:11,12.)-No king of Judah is mentioned in this verse: Zedekiah is the only one named in the preceding chapter: and it seems very unnatural to consider the first verse of this chapter, as beginning an entirely new message from God.
We suppose then, that Zedekiah is addressed: and that the names of the other kings are introduced, by way of reminding him, that the predictions concerning them, which they had disregarded, had been exactly accomplished; from which he ought to infer, that those, which related to him and the approaching captivity, would be so likewise. Coniah indeed is last mentioned in the chapter, and Zedekiah is not named in it, but he had been mentioned in the former part of the subject, as the foregoing chapter is here supposed to have been: and being addressed in person as "king of Judah," it was not neces
the throne of David, thou, and thy servants,|| and thy people that denter in by these gates:
3 Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor; and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, & neither shed innocent blood in this place. 4 For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting * upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.
5 But if ye will not hear these words, * I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.
6 For thus saith the LORD
unto the
king's house of Judah; Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon: yet ■ surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited.
d 7:2. 17:20.
e 5:28. 9:24. See on 21:12. Ex. 23:6-9. Lev. 9:15. Deut. 16:18-20, 25:1. 2 Sam. 23:3. Job 29:7-17. Ps. 72:2-4. Mic. 3:11. Zech. 7:9-11.
f Deut. 10:18. 24:17. 27:19. Job 22:9. 24:9, 29:12. Ps. 68:5.94: 6. Prov. 23:10. Is. 1:23. Ez. 22:7. Mal. 3:5. Jam. 1:27.
g 17. 7:6. 26:16. Deut. 19:10- 13. 2 Kings 24:4. Ps. 94:21. Prov. 6:17. Is. 1:15-20. Joel 3:19.
h See on 17:25.
i 17:27. Is. 1:20.
k Gen. 22:16. Num. 14:28-30. Deut. 32:40-42. Ps. 95:11. Am. 6:8. 8:7,8. Heb. 3:18.6: 13,17.
1 See on 7:13,14.-26:6-9.39:8. Mic. 3:12.
m 24. 21:11. Gen. 37:25. Deut. 3:25. Cant. 5:15.
n 4:20. 7:34. 9:11. 19:7,8. 21:14. 25:9,10. 26:6-9,18. Ps. 107: 34. Is. 6:11. 24:1-6. 27:10. Ez. 33:27,28.
V.2-5. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 17:19-27. 21: 11,12. 34:8—22.36:1-3.) “This was his ordi'nary manner of preaching before kings, from 'Josiah to Zedekiah, which was about forty 'years.' The prophet repeats to Zedekiah the admonitions which he had given to his predecessors, connected with similar promises and denunciations: and the express declarations made in other places, that the city would be taken and destroyed, only implied that God certainly foreknew Zedekiah's obstinate disobedience. Thus, the Lord again and again sent Moses to Pharaoh, to demand the liberty of Israel, though he knew and foretold , that Pharaoh would not let them go till forced to it. ( Note , 18:7-10.)
V. 6. (Note, 13-19.) The palace of the kings of Judah was become very magnificent: it had been favored far more than the residence of other kings, and made pre-eminent by its vicinity to the temple; and the royal family had been equally favored and exalted by the covenant with David and his seed: ( Notes , Ps . 48:2,3. 122:3-5.) but, having been polluted with idolatry and iniquity, they were condemned to be destroyed and made desolate. -Gilead was renowned for rich pastures, and Lebanon for stately cedars. ( Marg . Ref .)
V. 7. ( Marg . Ref . Note , 21:13,14.) 'The 'Hebrew word signifieth to sanctify , because 'the LORD doth dedicate to his use and pur'pose, such as he prepareth to execute his 'work.' (Notes, Is. 13:2-5. 45:1--6. Ez . 9:1 --7.)
7 And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.
8 And many nations shall pass by this city; and they shall say every man to his neighbor, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?
9 Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.
10 Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but tweep sore for him that goeth away; for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.
11 For thus saith the Lord touching " Shallum, the son of Josiah king of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more:
12 But he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more.
referred to predictions which were delivered soon after, when Jehoahaz, or Shallum, had been carried away captive into Egypt by Pha- raoh-necho. ( Notes , 2 Kings 22:15-20, v . 20. 23:29--33.) The people indeed had great cause to mourn their own loss in Josiah's death; and for their sins, which had provoked the Lord to remove him: yet they needed not bemoan him, as if he had suffered loss, by be- ing "taken away from the evil to come," for he died in reputation, and at peace with God. ( Note , 2 Chr . 35:25-27.) But they had a more recent cause for sorrow in the captivity of Shal- lum, who was doomed, for his early wicked- ness, to live and die a captive in Egypt, and never more to return to his own land.
The people, it seems, did not believe this predic tion, at the time when it was uttered: but it had been exactly verified. And this very properly came in to confirm the predictions that were afterwards delivered, and which were treated with similar disregard.---We must adopt this interpretation, whether we suppose Jeconiah or Zedekiah to be addressed.--"Thus saith the LORD:" or rather, "Thus the LORD said, &c." He spake thus by the prophet, at the time. The verb is preterite.
I shall lay this down 'as most probable, that the Shallum, mentioned 'in the text, is the same as Jehoahaz; for the characters here set down can agree with no 'other. It was he that reigned instead of his 'father Josiah.... He likewise was carried cap- 'tive, and never returned.' Lowth .-Indeed- Shallum mentioned in Chronicles, ( Note , 1 Chr .
V. 8,9. Marg . Ref . Notes , 40:2,3. Deut . 28: 3:15. aug
37. 29:21--25. I Kings 9:7--9.
V. 10--12. The ruin of the kingdom of Judah commenced by the death of Josiah: the prophet therefore recurred to that event; and
than he; but Jehoahaz was older than Zedekiah by eleven or twelve years. (2 Kings 23:31. 24: 18.) Either therefore, the age of Josiah's sons was not intended, or the order has been invert
13 Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbor's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;
14 That saith, I will build me a wide house, and * large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is a ceiled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.
15 Shalt thou reign because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father seat and drink, dand do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?
16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him : & was not this to know me? saith the LORD.
17 But thine eyes and thine heart are x 18. 2 Kings 23:36,37. 2 Chr. | 8:15. 1 Kings 10:9. 2 Kings 22:2, 23:25, 2 Chr. 34:2. Prov.
36:4.
y Lev. 19:13. Deut. 24:14,15.
Job 24:10,11. Mic. 3:10. Hab.
2:9-11. Mal. 3:5.
Jam. 5:4.
z Prov. 17:19. 24:27.
Is. 5:8,9.
Luke 14:28,29.
* Heb. through-aired.
† Or , my windows.
a 2 Sam. 7:2. 2 Chr. 3:5. Cant.
1:17. Hag. 1:4.
b 18. 1 Chr. 3:15.
c 1 Kings 4:20-23. 2 Chr. 35: 7,8,12-18. Ec. 2:24.9:7-10. 10:17. Is. 33:16. Luke 11:41. Acts 2:46. 1 Cor. 10:31.
d See on 3. 21:12.-23:5. 2 Sam.
20:28. 21:3. 25:5. 29:4. 31:9. Is. 9:7.
e 42:6. See on Deut. 4:40. Ps. 128:1,2. Is. 3:10.
f 5:28. Job 29:12-17. Ps. 72:1 -4,12,13. 82:3,4. 109:31. Prov. 24:11,12. Is. 1:17.
g 9:3,16,24. 31:33,34. 1 Sam. 2: 12. 1 Chr. 28:9. Ps. 9:10. John 8:19,54,55. 16:3. 17:3,6.
1:16. 1 John 2:3,4.
h Josh. 7:21. Job 31:7. 119:36,37. Ez. 33:31. 7:21,22. Jam. 1:14,15. 2:14. 1 John 2:15,16.
Tit.
Ps.
Mark
2 Pet.
ed. "The third Shallum, the fourth Zedekiah." Blayney.
not but for thy covetousness, and fork to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for I violence, to do it .
18 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, saying , TM Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying , Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!
19 He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.
[Practical Observations.]
20 Go up to Lebanon and cry: and lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from the passages: P for all thy lovers are destroyed.
21 I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice.
i Ex. 18:21. Ps. 10:3. Luke | o 2:36,37. 30:12-15. 2 Kings 12:15-21. 16:13,14. Rom. 1: 24:7. Is. 20:5,6. 30:1-7. 31:1 -3.
29. 1 Cor. 6:10. Eph. 5:3- Col. 3:5. 1 Tim. 6:9,10.
2 Pet. 2:3,14.
k 3. 26:22-24.
1 Kings 21:19.
p 22. 4:30. 25:9,17-27. Lam. 1:2,19. Ez. 23:9,22.
q 2:31. 6:16,17. 35:15. 36:21-26. 2 Chr. 33:10,11.36:16,17. Prov. 30:9.
Heb. prosperities.
r 3:25. 7:22-28.32:30. Deut. 9: 7,24. 31:27. 32:15-20. Judg. 2:11-19. Neh. 9:16,&c. Ps. 106:6,&c. Is. 48:8. Ez. 20:8, 13,21,28. 23.3-39.
der and every kind of oppression; and thus he became odious to his subjects: so that it had been predicted, that when he should be prematurely cut off, his relations would not grieve for him as a brother, nor his people as a ruler, nor would any lament that his glory was turned into ignominy, nor condole with his bereaved consort and relations, according to the customs of those times and countries: and after his death his body would be treated with the utmost contempt, and "buried with the burial of an ass;" which creatures, when they died in the city, were dragged forth to some place without the gates, where rubbish was thrown, to be devoured by dogs, or to putrefy above ground.
"Nebuchadnezzar bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon:" (2 Chr . 36:6, 7.) this however, seems to have taken place, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign; ( Note , Dan . 1:1,2.) and it is generally supposed, that, having pacified Nebuchadnezzar, he was restored to the throne: but, that after some time revolting from him, bands of Chaldees and others came against him, by whom he was at length perhaps killed in an assault, after having reigned elėven years. ( Note , 2 Kings 24:1,2.) Yet the language of Ezekiel, ( Note , Ez . 19:2--9.) seems to imply, that he was put in chains, and brought to the king of Babylon, at the close of his reign; "that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel." Josephus, however, says, that he was slain, and his body left unburied.
There is great difficulty, in respect of the time, and manner, and place of Jehoiakim's death and burial; probably such as must baffle all attempts to clear them up: but, as "the gates of Jerusalem" may relate to the burial of the ass, and not to Jehoiaenormous rapacity, and inordinate passions; in er this took place near Jerusalem, or at Babypursuit of iniquitous gain, he committed mur-lon. Doubtless the exact fulfilment of the
V. 13-19. These verses evidently relate to Jehoiakim, who succeeded his younger brother Jehoahaz, or Shallum; ( Note , 10--12.) but it is a question whether they were, on this occasion, addressed to him, or whether they were adduced in confirmation of other predictions.
According to the interpretation here adopted, the case of Jehoiakim was adduced, to convince Zedekiah that the predictions, uttered against him and Jerusalem, would certainly be accomplished.--Jehoiakim, it seems, had built a magnificent palace in those calamitous times, the expense of which far exceeded his finances: and this introduced a system of iniquity and oppression. ( Note , 21:11,12.) He constrained his subjects to work without wages, and in various ways he committed extortion and injustice: 'A crying sin, and too 'coinmon among the great men of the world.... ' Deut . 24:14,15.
Jam . 5:4.' Lowth .--But, did be think that his house of cedar would secure his authority, or prolong his reign, or give him inward tranquillity? His pious father had not affected such splendor: but he lived in plenty and hospitality, without injuring any of his subjects; and his clear conscience and character, the love of his people, and above all the favor of God, were far preferable to Jehoiakim's guilty and odious magnificence.
Moreover, Josiah was the patron of the poor, and his throne was established in righteousness: and his obedience to God, and imitation of his justice, truth, and goodness, in the use of his authority, proved that he knew and loved him. (Notes, 9:23,24. 1 Chr . 28:9.
John 17:1--3. 1 John 2:3--6.) But Jehoiakim was continually looking out for opportunities of gratifying his kim; it is not very important to inquire wheth 22 The wind shall eat up all thy || 26 And I will cast thee out, and thy pastors, and "thy lovers shall go into captiv-mother that bear thee, into another country, ity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed where ye were not born; and there shall ye and coufounded for all thy wickedness.
23 O * inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!
24 As I live, saith the Lord, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were d the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;
25 And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans. s 4:11-13. 20:23,24. Is. 64:6. | a 3:21. 4:31. 6:24. 30:5,6. 50:4,5.
Hos. 4:19. 13:15.
Hos. 5:15. 6:1. 7:14.
prediction was well known at Jerusalem. (36: 30)-"Thus saith." (18) Or, "Thus said, &c." ( Note , 10-12.)
V. 20-23.
These verses seem to relate to the nation of Judah at large; or to the royal house of David, addressed as a woman of high rank and spirit: and it may be considered as the prophet's language on the success of the Chaldeans, and the disappointment of assistance from Egypt. ( Notes , 37:1-10.) The princes and people might now betake themselves to Lebanon, or Bashan, or the other entrances into the land, to lament their miseries, and cry for help: but none would regard them; for all their idols and idolatrous allies, were about to be destroyed by the power of the conqueror. ( Notes , 2:33-37. 4:30,31.
Is . 31:1-3. Lam . 4: 17. Ez . 16:35-43. 23:5-10,27,43-49. Hos . 2:2-7.) The Lord had warned them of these calamities, in their more prosperous days, and commanded them to repent of their sins; but they were avowed and obstinate in rebellion: and this had been the manner of the nation from the beginning, that they would not obey his voice. ( Marg .
Ref . r.- Notes , 3:20-25. 7: 21-23.) Therefore, all their rulers and teachers would perish, as the fruits of the earth are blighted and consumed by an unwholesome wind: and their allies would go with them into captivity, being reduced by the same powerful conqueror. ( Notes , 2:8,9. 4:11-13.) They thought themselves indeed as safe in Jerusalem, as the eagle in her nest, on the top of a cedar, upon the summits of Lebanon; and therefore they despised the word of God. (Marg.
Ref . z.- Notes , 21:13,14. 49:16.) But destruction was coming, as pangs on a woman in travail; and then they would shew some regard to the Lord, and assume the appearance of humility, of devotion, or of mercy to their oppressed brethren; but this would not prevent their ruin. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , Hos . 6:4, 5. 7:13-16.)
V. 24-27. After the removal of Jehoiakim, Jeconiah reigned for a short time, and was then taken prisoner and carried to Babylon;
die.
27 But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return.
28 Is this man Coniah ka despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land m which they know not?
29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.
30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, P sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.
where he continued many years before his death. ( Notes , 2 Kings 24:8-16. 2 Chr . 36:9, 10.) He is here called Coniah, in contempt, as it is generally thought: the first syllable of his name, being a part of the name of JEHOVAH, is cut off, perhaps as an intimation that the Lord no longer owned him.
Perhaps Coniah was his original name, and the additional syllable was added when he became king.As he was the lineal heir of the house of David, it might have been thought that God would have taken special care of him: but he sware by himself, that, even were Coriah to him like the royal signet on the right hand of a king his ornament and a peculiar badge of authori king, ty; (.Note, Hag . 2:20-23, v. 23.) he would pluck him off and cast him away with disdain and that he should end his days in captivity with his mother who had brought brought him iniquity, and with the rest of his family. ( Note , 2 Kings 25:27-30.)-Nothing can be more unnatural, than to suppose these verses addressed to Jeconiah, during his father's reign, when he was quite young; and had no immediate prospect of reigning: yet on this supposition those expositors must proceed, who maintain that the whole was addressed to Jehoiakim.
up in
V. 28-30. This is the application of the whole address, which is here supposed to have been made to Zedekiah. Indeed it should be carefully noted, that Jeconiah is spoken of as absent , and as already in captivity . (28) Now, had he been thrown aside as a broken idol, than which nothing can be more despicable; oras a vessel which a man cares not to make use of? For what reason was he and his seed carried captive to Babylon? Was it not for their sins? And did Zedekiah, who copied and far exceeded them, expect to prosper on the throne of David? If he would pay no regard to the word of God, let the earth itself hear and record it: ( Marg . Ref : n.) for the Lord had determined, that this man, (to whom the prophet addressed himself,) should die childless, and be unsuccessful all his days; and that none of his seed should prosper, filling the
throne of David, and ruling over Judah; as their conduct, and are generally influenced by he had vainly expected after his nephew Jeco-it: and few venture to speak unwelcome their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
niah was carried captive. If we understand this of Zedekiah, the whole is plain and obvious: he was taken prisoner by Nebuchadrezzar; his sons were slain before his eyes; then his eyes were put out, he was carried to Babylon, and we read no more of him or his posterity. (Notes, 38:20-23.-41:10. 43:4 -7, v. 6.2 Kings 25:6,7. Ez . 12:8-16.17:12-21. 21:25-27.) But if we apply it to Jeconiah, we are involved in difficulties.
He certainly left several sons: Zerubbabel his grandson possessed great authority, and prospered ruling in Judah; and was spoken of in the language used in this chapter of Jeconiah. (24. Notes , Ezra 1:7-11. 3:8-11. Hag . 1:1,13-15. 2:35,20-23.
Zech. 4:4-10.) Jeconiah's name stands in the genealogy of our Lord, as one of the Ime of David, from whom Joseph the husband of Mary was descended. ( Note , Matt . 1:2-17, υ. 12.) Nay, Jeconiah himself may be said to have prospered towards the close of his day. ( Note , 2 Kings 25:27-30.) So that this sentence seems not to have been executed respecting him, in any measure answerable to the peculiar solemnity, with which it was denounced.
To obviate these difficulties, some conjecture that Salathiel, the father of Zerubbabel, was only the adopted son of Jeconiah: but it is expressly said, that "he begat him," which can hardly mean less than that he was his ancestor: (1 Chr. 3:17. Matt. 1:12.) and such an interpretation would reduce the genealogy of Christ, and indeed all other genealogies, to uncertainty.
Others suppose, that the sentence only meant that he should not see any comfort in his children, and that they should not succeed him on the throne; and that after the death of Zedekiah, the temporal kingdom of David should terminate: but the word, rendered "childless," occurs only in two other places; and both seem to confirm our translation of it: ( Gen. 15:2.
Lev . 20:21.) Certainly Zerubbabel "ruled prosperously Judah," though he did not sit on the throne of David. As to the opinion, that the Salathiel and Zorobabel, in the line of Nathan, must be the same as the Salathiel and Zerubbabel in the line of Solomon; though neither their ancestors nor their descendants were the same; nothing, but the countenance and sanction of so many learned men, could entitle it to the least degree of attention. For the coincidence of names, in the same nation and the same family, is so very common in all history, that one cannot but wonder to see so
seems a
much built upon it in this instance. ( Notes , 1 Chr. 3:17,18. Luke 3:23-38.) -But, suggested what appears to me the most obvious method of removing the difficulty, which I allow to be great; I shall only add, that there peculiar propriety in the prophet's thus adducing former instances of the Lord's performing his predictions, as an introduction to passing this solemn sentence of condemnation on him, under whose government, and through whose obstinacy, Jerusalem was destroyed, and the people carried into captivity. ( Notes , 21:4-10.38:17-23. 2 Kings 24:20. Ez . 17:15-21. 21:25-27.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
V. 1-12.
The mightiest princes are at least as much concerned to hear the word of God, as their meanest subjects; and those who are called to speak to them in the name of God, should deal plainly and faithfully with them: for their servants and people are deeply concerned in
truths in their presence.- No durable prosperity in any station can be obtained without obedience to God's commandments. Nor can real religion subsist without justice, truth, and mercy, in our relative conduct. They, who are intrusted with authority, are under the greatest obligations to imitate our God, in patronising the poor and rescuing the oppressed: and innocent blood shed by thein, under color of law, or by iniquitous wars, or in any other way, must be as exactly accounted for, as that which their inferiors shed in violation of their statutes.
The neglect of these things exposes nations to the righteous vengeance of God: and he alike disregards temples and palaces, when those who frequent or possess them, will not obey his word.
He destroys neither cities, nations, nor individuals, except for their sins; and even in this world he often makes it obvious to every one, for what crimes he inflicts punishment: but this will be fully manifest to all the world, at "the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." It is more reasonable to congratulate those who have escaped from this world of sin and sorrow, and are arrived at the mansions of the blest, than to lament them; and their happiress should reconcile survivors to their own loss.
But impenitent sinners, living or dying, are objects of our deepest compassion or lamentation. Speedily death will remove the most prosperous from " their good things;" "their place will know them no more;" and they have a place of torment prepared for them in the eternal world. Yet others will proceed in the same destructive course, in defiance of all warnings, and expostulations!
V. 13-19.
Men imagine that wealth, magnificence, elegant mansions, furniture, paintings, and splendid vanities, give happiness to their posoften commit the most atrocious crimes, and sessors: and in order to acquire expose themselves to the severest vengeance of their offended Judge. How many grand houses have thus been builded by unrighteousness! How many live in magnificence and luxury, by oppressing and defrauding the poor; and by constraining them to excessive labor, without any adequate compensation for their work! How many thus run into debt, and defraud their creditors; at least so delay payment, as to ruin honest families, to gratify their infamous ostentation! And indeed all, who determine to be rich, or luxurious, will
fall into these and various other temptations, and be betrayed into some species of injustice. ( Note , 1 Tim . 6:6-10.)-Generally, the pride and vanity of young persons, in wanting to make a more genteel appearance, than their prudent or pious parents did, prove them defective in more valuable accomplishments; especially if their circumstances are not more affluent.
It is unspeakably more respectable and comfortable to have food and raiment, and other accommodations, in a plain style, with honesty and piety; and to use hospitality, be friendly to the poor, and to have an interest in their prayers; than to fare sumptuously, to lodge magnificently, to be surrounded with numerous servants and visitants; whilst extravagance puts an edge on rapacity, and "the eyes and heart are only after covetousness," oppression, and other crimes, which luxury renders necessary.
They who "know God," will do justice and love mercy; and it will be well with them living and dying: dy but