Jeremiah 22:10

10, 11. Weep . . . not for—that is, not so much for Josiah, who was taken away by death from the evil to come (2 Kings 22:20; Isaiah 57:1); as for Shallum or Jehoahaz, his son (Isaiah 57:1- :), who, after a three months' reign, was carried off by Pharaoh-necho into Egypt, never to see his native land again (Isaiah 57:1- :). Dying saints are justly to be envied, while living sinners are to be pitied. The allusion is to the great weeping of the people at the death of Josiah, and on each anniversary of it, in which Jeremiah himself took a prominent part (2 Chronicles 35:24; 2 Chronicles 35:25). The name "Shallum" is here given in irony to Jehoahaz, who reigned but three months; as if he were a second Shallum, son of Jabesh, who reigned only one month in Samaria (2 Kings 15:13; 2 Chronicles 36:1-4). Shallum means "retribution," a name of no good omen to him [GROTIUS]; originally the people called him Shallom, indicative of peace and prosperity. But Jeremiah applies it in irony. 2 Kings 15:13- :, calls Shallum the fourth son of Josiah. The people raised him to the throne before his brother Eliakim or Jehoiakim, though the latter was the older (2 Kings 23:31; 2 Kings 23:36; 2 Chronicles 36:1); perhaps on account of Jehoiakim's extravagance (Jeremiah 22:13; Jeremiah 22:15). Jehoiakim was put in Shallum's (Jehoahaz') stead by Pharaoh-necho. Jeconiah, his son, succeeded. Zedekiah (Mattaniah), uncle of Jeconiah, and brother of Jehoiakim and Jehoahaz, was last of all raised to the throne by Nebuchadnezzar.

He shall not return—The people perhaps entertained hopes of Shallum's return from Egypt, in which case they would replace him on the throne, and thereby free themselves from the oppressive taxes imposed by Jehoiakim.