Jeremiah 22:13

“Woe unto him that buildeth his house by righteousness, and his chambers by wrong, etc.] This respects Jehoiakim, the then reigning king; who, not content with the palace the kings of Judah before him had lived in, built another; or however enlarged that, and made great alterations in it; but this he did either with money ill gotten, or perverted to a wrong use, which ought to have been otherwise laid out; or by not paying for the materials of whom they were bought, or the workmen for their workmanship; and perhaps this may be the reason why so much notice is taken of the king’s house or palace in the former part of the chapter, and why it is threatened with desolation, (<242201>Jeremiah…”

“Not only did Jehoiakim tax the people (Kg2 23:35) for Pharaoh's tribute, but also took their forced labor, without pay, for building a splendid palace; in violation of Lev 19:13; Deu 24:14-15. Compare Mic 3:10; Hab 2:9; Jam 5:4. God will repay in justice those who will not in justice pay those whom they employ.”

“Far worse is the second example. Shallum was no heartless tyrant like Jehoiakim, who lived in splendor amid the misery of the nation, and perished so little cared for that his body was cast aside without burial. His chambers - Really, his upper chambers. From the absence of machinery the raising of materials for the upper stories was a difficult task, especially when massive stones were used. His work - Giveth him not his wages. return to 'Top of Page'”

“22:13-23 Egypt placed another of Josiah’s sons, Eliakim, on the throne in Jerusalem. His name was changed to Jehoiakim. Most of the material in chs 7–20 was probably written during Jehoiakim’s reign (609–598 BC). The Lord indicted him because of his faithlessness and greed, brought him to trial, declared him guilty, and pronounced the death penalty against him. 22:13 Because Jehoiakim forced poor men to work as slaves with no pay, his building projects had injustice built into their walls.”

“unto: Jer 22:18; Kg2 23:35-37; Ch2 36:4 buildeth: Lev 19:13; Deu 24:14, Deu 24:15; Job 24:10, Job 24:11; Mic 3:10; Hab 2:9-11; Mal 3:5; Jam 5:4 Jeremiah 22:14”

“The woe uttered upon Jehoiakim. - Jer 22:13. "Woe unto him that buildeth his house with unrighteousness and his upper chambers with wrong, that maketh his fellow labour for nought, and giveth him not his hire; Jer 22:14. That saith: I will build me a wide house and spacious upper chambers, and cutteth him out many windows, and covereth it with cedars, and painteth it with vermilion. Jer 22:15. Art thou a king of thou viest in cedar? Did not thy father eat and drink, and do right and justice? Then it went well with him. Jer 22:16. He did justice to the poor and wretched, then it was well. Is not this to know me? saith Jahveh. Jer 22:17. For on nothing are thine eyes and thy heart set but on…”