Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 22:5

5 But if ye will not hear these words , I swear by my self, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation .

By hearing the Prophet meaneth hearkning to; and obeying, God accounteth us to hear no more then we practice.

If (saith the Prophet) you will not execute judgement, &c. I give you the greatest assurance imaginable, that this noble house of David shall become a desolation. The Apostle saith, that God, because he could swear by no greater, sware by himself. The end of an Oath is the confirmation of a thing where any doubt of the truth of it, or have any strife about it, sinners finding in themselves a difficulty to believe God upon his word, revealing his will against the interests of their lusts, the Lord is brought in as swearing, not by a greater (that is impossible) but by himself, that the house of David or the house of Israel, or his own house, the Temple, though the first seems most probable to be here meant, which seemeth to be the house mentioned verse 4, through the gates of which Kings should enter riding in Chariots and on Horses; should be made desolate.