Jeremiah 22:16
He took up the cause of the poor and needy,
What it says
Josiah defended the cause of the poor and needy, and that was what it meant to know the LORD.
What it is doing
This verse defines covenant kingship through justice rather than luxury.
In context
13“Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, 14who says, ‘I will build myself a great palace, 15Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? 16He took up the cause of the poor and needy, 17“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing 18Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: 19He will be buried like a donkey, 20Go up to Lebanon and cry out; 21I warned you when you were secure. 22The wind will drive away all your shepherds, 23O inhabitant of Lebanon,