And say, hear the word of the Lord, O king of Judah
O Jehoiakim king of Judah, hear the word of the King of kings; listen to it, and obey it, as kings ought to do; and it is for their good, as well as it is their duty, so to do: that sittest upon the throne of David;
whom he mentions, to put him in mind of his illustrious ancestor, whose successor he was, that he might be prompted to follow his example: thou, and thy servants, and that people that enter in by these gates;
the king and his courtiers, his nobles and privy counsellors, that were continually waiting upon him, and were frequently passing and repassing the gates of the palace; for not the gates of the court in the temple are meant, as Kimchi suggests; and all other people, that either waited on or came to the king, upon business, with their suits, and to have their causes heard and tried.