Oracles concerning the Kings of Judah

The previous chapter issued an oracle against Zedekiah, and now the prophet continues the diatribe against Judah’s kings. At first the oracle is addressed to the “king of Judah” without specification (22:1–10). After this initial speech Jeremiah addresses Shallum (22:11–17 also know as Jehoahaz, who ruled for only a few months in 609 B.C.). Then (22:18–23) he turns his attention to Jehoiakim (609–597 B.C.), followed by Jehoiachin, who ruled only a few months in Jerusalem before he was taken away in captivity to Babylon and replaced by Zedekiah, the last king of Judah (597–586 B.C.). In essence, these oracles cover the post-Josianic kings who ruled during the period of Jeremiah’s prophetic activity.

22:1  God instructs Jeremiah to go to the palace in orde…