Chap, xxii, 13-19. Concerning Jehoiakim, elder
brother of Shallum. The eleven years of this reign
were marked by a steady relapse into idolatry. The
king's relations with our prophet were unfriendly
from the first. Affecting " le grand Monarque,"
Jehoiakim lived- in a style far above his means. It
is probable that the artistic revival which marked
his reign (verse 14), was widely noised abroad. But
there was another side to this. The land was under
tribute to Egypt ; a heavy yearly impost drained the
Treasury and burdened the people, already poor
enough. Forced labour, loans not repaid, judicial
murders, and the confiscation of goods which followed
eked out a diminished exchequer. The prophet pro-
tests against this abuse of power. With a touch of
grim humour, he contrasts the superficial splendour
of Jehoiakim, seen against a dark background of
famine and pestilence, with the solid comfort and
homely virtues of Josiah's reign (verse 15).
Verse 13. Woe to him who builds a house unrighteously.
And chambers by injustice.
Who makes his subjects toil for nought,
Withholding their hire ;
Verse 14. Who saith, I will build me a spacious mansion,
And roomy chambers,
With wide windows and panelled with cedar.
Staining it with vermilion.
174 KINGS AND PROPHETS

Verse 15. Wilt play the king, because thou viest
With thy father in cedar work ?
Did not he eat and drink ?
Then was it well with him.
