Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?
Closest thyself - rather, thou viest [from х chaaraah (H2734)], to be fired with eagerness, to burn with desire]. The same Hebrew verb is translated, in Jeremiah 12:5, "Contend" - i:e., art eagerly emulous to surpass thy forefathers in the magnificence of thy palaces.
Did not thy father eat and drink - did not Josiah, thy father, enjoy all that man really needs for his bodily wants? Did he need to build costly palaces to secure his throne? Nay, he did secure it by "judgment and justice;" whereas thou, with all thy luxurious building, sittest on a tottering throne.
Then - at that time when "justice" was done; or else, on that account, therefore х `aaz (H5794)].