That Jehoiakim did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord is already evident from the foregoing. Jeremiah 22:13–19 and Jeremiah 26:20–24 show that Jehoiakim behaved like a tyrant. His subjects were robbed and their lives were in danger. And when the judgment of God comes to him in writing, he throws it off demonstratively (Jeremiah 36:1–32). But the Word of God always has an effect—for better or for worse (cf. Isaiah 55:10–11 and 2 Corinthians 2:14–17).
37 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.