in speaking such words unto them: for this | done evil in all that they nave done to Jer man seeketh not the welfare of this peo-emiah the prophet, whom they have cas' ple, but the hurt. into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is; for there is no more bread in the city. 5 Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you. 6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him 'into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah| with cords. "And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire. 7 Now when Ebed-melech P the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; (the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;) 8 Ebed-melech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying, 9 My lord the king, these men have Heb. peace. 29:7. k 1 Sam. 15.24. 8 29:9. 2 Sam. o 39:16-18. 3:39. 19:22. Prov. 29:25. John 19:12-16. 1 See on 37:16. Lam. 3:55. Matt. 8: p 13:23. Ps. 68:31. Acts 16:24. 2 Cor. 4:8,9. Heb. q 29:2. 34:19. 2 Kings 24:15. 10.36. u 10 Then the king commanded Ebed melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon before he die. 11 So Ebed-melech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts, and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah, 12 And Ebed-melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine arm-holes, under the cords. And Jeremiah did so. 13 So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison. [Practical Observations.] $ 1-6. Esth. 7:4-6. Job S1: Heb. in thine hand. 34. NOTES. y Rom. 12:10,15. Eph. 4:32. 39:14-18. 1 Kings 22:27. Acts 23:35. 24: 23-26. 28:16,30. 'which are set down in the third chapter o. CHAP. XXXVIII. V. 1-6. Some of these persons were sent by Zedekiah to Jeremiah, to inquire concerning the event of the siege, and to desire his prayers. (21:1,2. 37:3.)-The "answer which he returned by them to the V. 7-13. We have here an example of for'king, he afterward published to all the peo- titude and active kindness as noble, as the con'ple; which was the occasion of the new trou- duct of the princes was base and disingenu'bles, recorded in this chapter.' Lowth. ous. Ebed-melech, a Cushite, a stranger, (Notes, 21:4-10.27:12-15.37:6-10.)-Though perhaps a negro, whose name seems to imply confined in the court of the prison, Jeremiah that he had been the king's slave, though now continued to prophecy; and those who had ac- preferred, was employed to deliver the prophcess to him, made known to all the people his et, and to shame the Jews. Hearing that predictions. This greatly offended the prin- Jeremiah had been cast into the dungeon; he, ces, who determined to defend themselves to without hesitation or delay, and without fearthe last extremity; and they resolved to put ing the wrath of the nobles, boldly went to him to death. They therefore represented him Zedekiah, when engaged in public business; to the king, as an enemy to the nation, who and plainly told him, that they had done wickintentionally sought their hurt; though his edly in acting in so cruel a manner towards labors, sufferings, tears, and supplications the prophet of God; and that he must soon abundantly proved his fervent love to them: perish with hunger in the dungeon. By this and Zedekiah (who seems to have been a representation he obtained from the king a prince of slender capacity, and who was great-commission to rescue Jeremiah, and a guard ly under the power of his nobles, by reason of his difficult circumstances,) would not venture any thing to protect him, but abjectly left him in the hands of his enemies; though with some indication of resentment, at their oppo-15-18.) sition to his more clement intentions. (Note, To die for hunger. (9) "They needed not to 37:17-21. Having thus extorted the king's have put him into the dungeon; he would consent, the malicious princes without delay, 'have died of hunger, without adding the cru caused the prophet to be let down into a dun-'elty of that punishment; "for there is, &c."' geon, or pit, where he sunk in the mire, and must soon miserably have perished: it appears to have been the bottom of the dungeon and cells before described. (Note, 37:16. Probably, they intended to have then given out that he died in prison; and perhaps this dungeon was prepared for such silent executions, Some think that when he was in this dismal place, he made those mournful meditations, to protect him in this service, which he performed with great promptitude and tenderness; and thus saved a most valuable life, though not without the hazard of his own. (Note, 39: Lowth.-This, however, does not seem to be the obvious meaning of the words: and perhaps Ebed-melech was not aware, what a dreadful place the dungeon was, in which the prophet must soon have been suffocated in the mire, or killed by the exhalations of so noisome a pit; but was fully assured that, being confined and out of sight, he would perish by hunger; for none would carry him any food, 14 Then Zedekiah the king sent, || Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deinto the third entry that is in the house of liver me into their hand, and they 'mock the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremi-me. ah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me. 15 Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, f I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me? e 16 So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life. 17 Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house. 18 But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand. 19 And Zedekiah the king said unto when the famine in the city became extreme. (37:21.) V. 14-16. Jeremiah could not but consider Zedekiah as concerned in the cruelty, with which he had been treated; yet he made no complaints. He was not, however, forward to repeat those warnings and counsels, which seemed only to endanger his own life, and to increase the guilt of the king. "The prophet had such experience of the unsteadiness of the king's temper, of his backwardness in following good counsel, and want of courage 'to stand by those that durst advise him well; 'that he might with good reason resolve not 'to venture his life, to serve a man, that was in a manner incapable of being directed.' Lowth. It does not appear, that he was charged with any message at this time to Zedekiah; though informed of the will of God respecting him. The questions proposed by the prophet implied, that he required Zedekiah to promise not to put him to death; and that he would follow his counsel, as the condition of his declaring the word of God. Some read the last without an interrogation; "Thou wilt not hearken to me." The king, however, made no promise of complying with his counsel; but he engaged with a solemn oath, by the living JEHOVAH, the Giver of their lives and souls, that he would neither put him to death, nor leave him in the hands of his enemies. (Marg Ref. d-f.)-Third entry. (14) Notes, 1 Kings 10:5. 2 Kings 16:17,18.′′′ Ez. 44:1–3. 46:1-9. 49 VOL. IV. 20 But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. m Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee; so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live. ง 21 But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the LORD hath shewed me: 22 And, behold, Pall the women that are left in the king of Judah's house, shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon's princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee; thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back. 8 23 So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans; and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire. 5. 1 Sam. 15:24. Job 31:34. Prov. 29:25. Is. 51:12,13. 57: 11. John 12:42. 19:12,13. 16:25. 1 22. Judg. 9:54. Sam. 31.4. 1s. 45:9,10. m 26:13. Dan. 4:27. Acts 26: 29. 2 Cor. 5:11,20. 6:1. Philem. 3-10. n 5.3. Ex. 10:34. 16:28. Job 34:33. Prov. 1:24-31. Is. 1:20. Heb. 12:25. o 15:19-21. 26:15. Num. 23: 19,20. 24:13. Job 23:13. Ez. 2:4,5,7. 3:17-19. Acts 18:6. 20:26,27. p 41:10. 43:6, Lam. 5:11. 1 Heb. The men of thy peace. 4-6. 20:10. Ps. 41:9. Marg. q 19. r See on 6. Ps. 69:2,14. t 18. 39:6. 52:10. 2 Kings Heb. shalt burn, &c. 27:12, 13. Ez. 14:9. 43:3. V. 17-19. Notes, 1-6,20-23. 27:12-15. Mock me. (19) Zedekiah was conscious, that he had acted basely, in violating his oath to the king of Babylon; and that he was considered by many of the Jews, as having brought ruin and infamy on his country, by his impolitic and dishonorable conduct. V. 20-23. The prophet could not alter his message; and if Zelekiah feared the contempt of man more than the wrath of God, he must take the consequence. (.Votes, Is. 51:7,8. Matt. 10:27,28.) He, however, assured him, that the mockery which he feared, should not come on him, if he obeyed God: but, on the contrary, that he should meet with kind usage and preserve his life. But if he refused to comply with this humiliating counsel, he must be previously informed, that the women of his household, being delivered up to the princes of Babylon, would certainly upbraid him in his calamities, for trusting to his friends; who, having seduced him from his allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar, and engaged him in the unequal contest, had prevailed against him to his ruin; and, having entangled him in inextricalde difficulties, as if his feet sunk in the mire, had left him to his doom, and turned back from him to secure themselves. Thus his wives and children would fall into the hands of the enraged conquerors: and all the cruelty inflicted on them, as well as his own miseries, and the burning of the city and temple, would be the effect of his obstinacy, and be considered as his crime; seeing that he might have [385 24 Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, 27 Then came all the princes unto JerLet no man know of these words, and thouemiah, and asked him: and he told them shalt not die. according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived. abode in the court of the prison, until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalein was taken. 25 But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee: 26 Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house, to die there. prevented them by submitting to the Chaldeans. Are turned, &c. (22) 37:7. Note, Lam. 4:17. 28 So Jeremiah y 1 Sam. 10:15,16. 16:2-5. 21 z 13. 15:20,21. 37:21. 39:14. tion. (Notes, Matt. 27:24,25. John 19:8-12.)Man's cruel ingenuity has invented various methods of torture and destruction; and perV. 24-28. Zedekiah would not follow the secutors have always been most remarkable prophet's advice; nay, he even seems to have for refinement in cruelty. Besides the numhesitated as to his oath of protecting him, and bers, who have been openly tortured and put to to have substituted for it a conditional promise. death; it will never be known, how many serHe was slavishly afraid of the princes. He vants of God have been privately murdered, supposed that they would certainly hear of before that time, when "the earth shall disthis interview; and he required Jeremiah to close her blood, and no more cover her slain." inform them, that he had petitioned the king (Notes, Is. 26:20,21.)-But till the "witnesses not to send him again to the dungeon in Jona- have finished their testimony," the malice of than's house. (Notes, 37:16-21.) As this, their enemies must be frustrated: (Notes, Rev. doubtless, was truth, and as the princes had 11:7---12.) for God will raise up instruments no right to be informed of all that had passed, for their protection, where they might have Jeremiah complied; and was thus preserved been least expected. Equity, humanity, piety, in the court of the prison till the city was taken. and zealous boldness in a good cause, have (Note, 39:11-14.) This seems to have been been found in persons of every climate, comhis last interview with Zedekiah.-What a plexion, or rank in life: and the Lord often view do these verses give of the extreme wick-chooses those, who by birth, education, and edness and impiety, prevalent in Judah, espe- || cially in the superior orders! Whatever was inquired of this most eminent and excellent servant of God, and friend to his people, or proposed to him, by either the king or his nobles; the highest recompense was a promise that he should not be put to death! A promise, which could not in the smallest degree be depended on. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1-13. outward circumstances, labor under peculiar Nothing but close confinement or death can totally silence the zealous servant of God: whatever he suffers or fears, he cannot but fulfil his ministry, as he has opportunity; and he caunot consent to any alteration or compromise respecting it.-Submission to Providence, and to those who obtain the pre-eminence, is very contrary to the proud heart of man. But though liberty is very valuable, and worthy to be preserved at a great price; yet we must not rebel against God, or throw away our lives, if he please to permit us to be deprived of it.Those who point out to men the only way of The man of God must never yield to resentsafety and happiness, and who spend them-ment, or suffer himself to be "overcome of selves in the most disinterested manner, to promote their present and future welfare, must in many cases expect to be deemed enemies, and worthy of death, for declaring the whole truth! Doubtless their counsels and warnings tend to weaken the hands of those who fight against God; their words run counter to the projects and lusts, and are uneasy to the consciences, of ungodly men; and therefore they conclude that they seek the hurt, and not the welfare, of the people. Thus the wicked, when armed with power, are pushed forward * persecution; while such as secretly favor those who are persecuted, often do not think it worth while to risk any thing for their protec evil:" he must ever be ready to give good counsel, and to promote the salvation of those who have most deeply injured him: he ought to do any thing to win upon them, except flattering them, or offending his Lord. It is not always necessary to exasperate proud men, by repeated warnings, which they have often heard in vain. It may be proper to appeal to their consciences, whether they be not determined against doing the will of God, though they pretend to inquire after it. And it may sometimes be prudent to require of them promises, that they will not resent or punish us for what is spoken. Yet if any relenting appear, and there be even a distant hope of succeeding, we CHAP. XXXIX. sons of Zedekiah, in Riblah m before his Jerusalem is taken, and burnt; Zedekiah is made prisoner, his eyes: also the king of Babylon the nobles of Judah. sons slain, his eyes put out, and himself carried in chains to Babylon, with the remnant of the Jews; a few poor people excepted, 1-10. Jeremiah is kindly used, by orders from Nebuchadnezzar, 11-14. A message from God to Ebed-melech, assuring bit of protection, 15-18. IN n slew all 7 Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with † chains, to carNthe ninth year of Zedekiah king of ry him to Babylon. Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon, and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. 3 And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Shamgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon. f 4 And it came to pass that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls; and he went out by the way of the plain. 5 But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, i to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him. 6 Then the king of Babylon 'slew the a 52:4-7. 2 Kings 25:1,2. Ez. 24 1,2. Zech. 8.19. h See on 32:4,5. 38:18,23.-2 i 52.8. Josh. 4:13. 5:10. 25:6. k Num. 13:21. Josh. 13:5. 8 And the Chaldeans P burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, 9 and brake down the walls of Jerusalem. 8 9 Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people, that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained. 10 But Nebuzar-adan, the captain of the guard, left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave thein vineyards and fields at the same time. 11 T Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon " gave charge concerning Jeremiah, to Nebuzar-adan, the captain of the guard, saying, 12 Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee. 13 So Nebuzar-adan the captain of m Gen. 21:16. 44:34. Deut. 21:7. 24:8-10. 34:19-21. Heb. two brazen chains, or, fetters. Judg. 16:21. Ps. 107: s 10:18. 16:13. 20:46. 52. 28-30. Lev. 26:33. Deut. 4: 27. 2 Kings 20:18. 1s. 5:13. t 40:7. 2 Kings 25:12. Ez. 33: 24. Heb. in that day. u 15:11,21. Job 5.19. Acts 24:23. p 7:20. 9:10-12. 17:27. 21: Judg. 33. 2 Sam. 8:9. 2 Kings q 52:14. 2 Kings 25:10. Neh. 17:24. Heb. spake with him judgments. 4:12. Ez. 17:15-21. 52 10. 2 Kings 25:7. should not be too anxious about our own safety; but "declare the whole counsel of God," and leave the event with him.-Whilst men have only some general convictions, and not a steady realizing faith, they will be "unstable in all their ways." (Note, Jam. 1:5-8.) The fear of reproach will preponderate against the fear of alinighty God: and every trifle will induce them to refuse that obedience, which alone can nsure their welfare and the life of their souls. Thus men treat faithful monitors as enemies, and flattering sycophants as bosom-friends, and bring on themselves, by disobedience, the very evils which they dreaded from obedience; till "their feet sink in the mire," their selfish friends forsake them, and they involve their families and connexions of every kind with them in inevitable destruction. But when ministers faithfully counsel and warn powerful ungodly men, they may consider themselves as highly favored, if they are not put to death, or delivered up to the will of their enemies.The less men fear God, the more they fear their fellow creatures; and often they dare not act according to their own judgments, consciences, or inclinations, lest they should be 1:3. 2 marg. ¶ Heb. set thine eyes upon him. 24:6. 40:4. marg. Prov. 23:5. Am. 9:4. 1 Pet. 3:12. Prov. 16:7. Acts 7:10. 1 Pet. 3:13. Ps. 105:14,15. 21:1. r 13. 40:1. 52:12-16,26. CHAP. XXXIX. V. 1-9. Marg. Ref.Notes, 2 Kings 25:1-10.-Broken. () Such 'breaches were made in the walls, that the army of the Chaldeans with their commanders 'entered, and took possession of the city.' Lowth.-Zedekiah, &c. (4) Instead of sub'mitting,. as Jeremiah advised him, (38:17,18.) 'Zedekiah endeavored to make his escape," Ibid.-Riblah. (5) 'Most interpreters suppose 'this city to be the same which was called An'tioch, in after times, when it was re-edified by Seleucus.' Ibid.-Gave judgment.]As one 'who had broke his oath of fidelity.d V. 10. Notes, 40:4-16, 41; 2 Kings 25:12 22-26. [387 h the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsa-||saith the LORD; and thou shalt not be givris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, and all en into the hand of the men, of whom the king of Babylon's princes; thou art afraid. k 14 Even they sent and took Jeremiah 18 For I will surely deliver thee, and out of the court of the prison, and a com- thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy mitted him unto Gedaliah, the son of Ahi-life shall be for a prey unto thee; be kam the son of Shaphan, that he should cause thou hast put thy trust in me, saith carry him home: so he dwelt among the the LORD. people. c 15 ¶ Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, e 16 Go, and speak to "Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee. 17 But I will deliver thee in that day, 40:1 24:8-10. 26:15,18,20. 32:28, 29. 34:2,3,22. 35:17. 36:31. f Ps. 91:8,9. 92:11. g 1:19. Ps. 41:1,2. 91:14,15. 2 V. 11-14. Nebuchadnezzar must have eard frequently of Jeremiah's predictions, many of which were now fulfilled; and this would dispose him to respect his character. He had likewise no doubt been informed that the prophet had suffered many things, for advising the Jews to surrender. The prophet was therefore set at liberty to go home to Anathoth or elsewhere, as he pleased, and accordingly he at length joined the remnant under Gedaliah. (Notes, 40:1,6.) CHAP. XL. Jeremiah, being dismissed by the Chaldeans, returns to Gedaliab, 1-3. The fugitive Jews resort to Gedaliah, who encourages them to cultivate the land, 7-12. Jobanaa, informing Gedaliah that Ishmael designed to slay him, and proposing to kill Ishmael, is not believed, 13-16. THE word which came to Jeremiah from the who, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him, being bound in chains, among all that and Judah, which were carried away capwere carried away captive of Jerusalem tive unto Babylon. c h 38:1,9. Gen. 15:1. * a 39:11-14. b 31.15. Josh. 18:25. 1 Sam. 7:17. c Ps. 63:6. 107:16. Acts 12:6, 7. 21:13. 28:20. Eph. 6.20. marg. *Or, anacles. deserved wrath: and their obstinacy often occasions the misery and destruction of their children, relatives, and neighbors, as well as their own.-How precarious are earthly possessions! And how soon they are shifted from one hand to another, especially in times of public calamity! But whether the Lord makes men poor or rich, nothing can durably profit them, whilst they cleave to their sins.-The servants of God alone are prepared for all events: they are delivered and comforted, when the wicked are suffering for their crimes; and they often meet with more respect and kindness from the profane, or from idolaters, than from hypocrites and formalists. God, however, will raise them up friends, and do them good, and perform all his promises to then. "In every nation, he that feareth God, V. 15-18. This message was sent to Ebedmelech before the taking of the city. He seems to have been greatly afraid of the princes, whom he had offended by his kindness to Jeremiah: but the Lord assured him, that they would in a very little time be deprived of power; for the city would soon be destroyed. And at the same time, he was assured of pro-and worketh righteousness, is accepted of tection in that catastrophe: he should escape him:" (Notes, Acts 10:34,35.) and he will rewith his life, whilst others fell by the sword; ward men for the kindness which they shew seeing he had trusted in the Lord, and exposed to his people for his sake. He gives encourhimself to danger, by rescuing his prophet agement to his servants, according to their from his powerful persecutors.-It is worth re-perils, fears, and trials; and will never suffer marking, that his confidence in God, rather than those to be confounded or perish, who trust in his kindness to Jeremiah, is assigned as the his mercy and obey his commandments. And special reason of the promise here made to if it be a great favor for those, who live in him. Had he been kind to the prophet, merely perilous times, to have their "life given them from humanity or inferior motives, it would for a prey," what cause shall we have for not have been noticed in this manner: but, ex-gratitude, if we escape the temptations, and erting himself to deliver a prophet "in the are carried through the trials, of this evil world, name of a prophet, he received a prophet's re- and finally obtain the eternal salvation of our ward." (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Matt. 10:40--42.|| 25:31-46.)-For a prey. (18) Notes, 21:8-10, v. 9. 45:4,5. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly perish, and that without remedy:" and they, who will not credit the words of God, will be dreadfully convinced by the event, that not one of them fails of accomplishment.-They fatally err, who mistake reprieves for pardons; and they labor in vain, who attempt to resist or elude the executioners of divine vengeance.-External sanctity will be equally unavailing, with magnificence, or strong fortifications, to defend sinners against souls! NOTES. CHAP. XL. V.1. The five following chapters record the events which occurred in Judah, after Jerusalem was taken, till the residue of the Jews went into Egypt, and after they came thither; and contain several messages of God to them; which were "the word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD." This chapter is wholly historical.--It appears that Jeremiah, after he had been freed from prison, continued among the Jews, till he was bound, or hand-cuffed, (marg.) with others of them, and carried to Ramah; and that he was there again set at liberty, in the manner here related. |
