Although Josiah, who was king when Jeremiah started his ministry, was faithful, all succeeding kings were unfaithful, and most of those responsible to instruct the people ​ — the prophets and the priests — ​ were not on the side of truth.
No tiem ķēniņiem, kas valdīja Jeremijas dzīves laikā, Dievam uzticīgs bija vienīgi Josija — ķēniņš, kas valdīja tad, kad Jeremija sāka sludināt.