As in Jeremiah 21:12b the Lord once again warns the king of Judah what consequences his rule holds for his reign. The warning is given in the form of a conditional sentence in Jeremiah 22:4. First, he says, For if you will indeed obey this word, then there shall enter the gates of this house kings who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their servants and their people.
This procession of chariots, horses, and people describes kings with status and authority.1 These kings will sit on the throne of David.
This language reflects the Lord’s promise to King David in 2 Samuel 7:1–29 where he promises to establish a kingdom under one of David’s descendants. This kingdom will last forever and it will be a kingdom of righteousness. If the kings of Judah were faithful to their covenant responsibilities, then the Lord will be faithful to his promise and Israel would experience blessing under kings who rule with justice.
Clearly, neither Zedekiah, nor any of the kings who came just before him, came even close to being faithful and so the Lord continues, But if you will not obey these words, I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that this house shall become a desolation.
The Lord swears by his own name. He will be faithful to his covenant and he will destroy the household of any king who fails to rule with justice.
4 For if you will indeed obey this word, then there shall enter the gates of this house kings who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their servants and their people.