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A just king gives stability to his nation,
    but one who demands bribes destroys it.

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14 If a king judges the poor fairly,
    his throne will last forever.

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Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil!
    Officials and judges alike demand bribes.
The people with influence get what they want,
    and together they scheme to twist justice.

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When a king sits in judgment, he weighs all the evidence,
    distinguishing the bad from the good.

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20 “His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal splendor. But after a very brief reign, he will die, though not from anger or in battle.

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A Message about Jehoiakim

13 And the Lord says, “What sorrow awaits Jehoiakim,[a]
    who builds his palace with forced labor.[b]
He builds injustice into its walls,
    for he makes his neighbors work for nothing.
    He does not pay them for their labor.
14 He says, ‘I will build a magnificent palace
    with huge rooms and many windows.
I will panel it throughout with fragrant cedar
    and paint it a lovely red.’
15 But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king!
    Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink.
But he was just and right in all his dealings.
    That is why God blessed him.
16 He gave justice and help to the poor and needy,
    and everything went well for him.
Isn’t that what it means to know me?”
    says the Lord.
17 “But you! You have eyes only for greed and dishonesty!
    You murder the innocent,
    oppress the poor, and reign ruthlessly.”

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Footnotes

  1. 22:13a The brother and successor of the exiled Jehoahaz. See 22:18.
  2. 22:13b Hebrew by unrighteousness.

Promises of Israel’s Restoration

This is what the Lord says:

“At just the right time, I will respond to you.[a]
    On the day of salvation I will help you.
I will protect you and give you to the people
    as my covenant with them.
Through you I will reestablish the land of Israel
    and assign it to its own people again.

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Footnotes

  1. 49:8 Greek version reads I heard you. Compare 2 Cor 6:2.

His government and its peace
    will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
    for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
    will make this happen!

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12 A king detests wrongdoing,
    for his rule is built on justice.

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15 Because of me, kings reign,
    and rulers make just decrees.

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Mighty King, lover of justice,
    you have established fairness.
You have acted with justice
    and righteousness throughout Israel.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 99:4 Hebrew Jacob. See note on 44:4.

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.
    Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.

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Praise the Lord your God, who delights in you and has placed you on the throne as king to rule for him. Because God loves Israel and desires this kingdom to last forever, he has made you king over them so you can rule with justice and righteousness.”

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18 But Menahem did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. During his entire reign, he refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit.

19 Then King Tiglath-pileser[a] of Assyria invaded the land. But Menahem paid him thirty-seven tons[b] of silver to gain his support in tightening his grip on royal power. 20 Menahem extorted the money from the rich of Israel, demanding that each of them pay fifty pieces[c] of silver to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria turned from attacking Israel and did not stay in the land.

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Footnotes

  1. 15:19a Hebrew Pul, another name for Tiglath-pileser.
  2. 15:19b Hebrew 1,000 talents [34 metric tons].
  3. 15:20 Hebrew 50 shekels [20 ounces or 570 grams].

12 Solomon became king and sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established.

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15 So David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people.

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13 “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

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