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.
2 And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.
3 Now the LORD hath brought it , and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the Lord, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.
mitted unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;
8 Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, o even Ishmael the son of Netha niah, Pand Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of sa Maachathite, they and their men.
9 And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them, and to their men, saying, "Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve
4 And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, fall the land is before the king of Babylon, and it shall be well thee: whither it seemeth good and conve-with you. nient for thee to go, thither go.
5 Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, & Go back also to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard igave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.
6 Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to * Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.
7 Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they
10 As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to serve the Chaldeans which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer-fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.
11 Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;
12 Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah,
and their men, heard that the king of Bab-unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and suin
ylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahi
kam governor in the land, and had com
d 22:8,9. Deut. 29:24-28. 1h 26:24.
Kings 9:8,9. 2 Chr. 7:20-22. Lam. 2:15-17.
e 50:7. Dan. 9:11,12. Rom. 2:5. 3:19.
* Or, are upon thine hand. 1. marg.
Heb. set mine eye upon thee. -See on 39:11,12. marg. f Gen. 13:9. 20:15. 47:8.
g 39:14 2 Kings 25:22-24.
Chr. 34:20.
2 Kings 22:12,14. 2
i 4. 15:11. Ezra 7:6,27, Neh. 1:11. 2:4-8. Prov. 16:7. 21:1. j 52:31-34. 2 Kings 8:7-9. Job 22:29. Acts 27:3,43. 28: 10. Heb. 13:6.
k Josh. 15:38. Judg. 21:1. 1 Sam. 7:5,6. Mizpeh.
139:4. 2 Kings 25:4,22,23.
(Notes, 39:11-14.)- Ramah .] Marg . Ref . Note, 31:15-17.
V.2, 3. The Jews were so blinded, that they could not see, or would not acknowledge, the hand of God in these events, or that they were the just punishment of their sins. But this Gentile evidently perceived it: and per
mer-fruits very much.
m 39:10. Ez. 33:24-29. n 6,11,12.
ο 14. 41:1-16. 2 Kings 25:23,
25.
p 41:11,16. 42:1,8. 43:2-5. q 37:15,20, 38:26.
r 2 Sam. 23:28,29. 1 Chr. 2:54. 11:30. Ezra 2:22. Neh. 7.26. s Deut. 3:14. Josh. 12:5. 2 Sam. 10:6,8. 23:34. 1 Chr. 2:
48.
t1 Sam. 20:16,17. 2 Kings 25:
24.
u 27:11. 38:17-20. Gen. 49:15. Ps. 37:3. 128:2.
Heb. stand before See on 35:19. Deut. 1:38. Prov. 22: 29. Luke 21:36. 39:10.
x 12. 48:32. 2 Sam. 16:1. Is. 16:9. Mic. 7:1.
y 24:9. Is. 16:4. Ez. 5:3,12. 25:2,6,8,12. 35:5,15. Ob. 11 -14.
and to the remnant of his people; and he preferred the hopes of doing them good, to any favor which could have been shewn him in Babylon. ( Notes , 17:15-18. 25:8—11.)— Miz pah . Marg . Ref . k.
V.7--12. (Note, 26:24.) Perhaps Gedaliah had previously surrendered to the Chaldeans:
haps he thought that this justified all the vio-or, by some services, and his general charac
lence and cruelty, which he and the Chaldeans had committed. (Notes, Deut . 29:21--26. Lam . 4 : 13--16 .)
V. 4, 5. Marg . and Marg . Ref . Not yet , &c. (5) "While he" (Jeremiah) "yet would not return, he said, Go back, &c." The prophet seems to have hesitated at first, what course to take. ( Notes , 26:24. 2 Kings 25:22-26.)
ter for integrity and capacity, he had recommended himself to the confidence of the victors. It was not their intention entirely to desolate the land: and therefore they wished to induce the poor remains of the Jews to settle there; as they feared no further resistance, when Jerusalem lay in ruins, and their rulers and nobles were either slain or made captives. They therefore placed Gedaliah over them, to encourage them to settle, and cultivate their lands. ( Note , 4,5.) Accordingly he fixed his residence at Mizpah, a considerable town in the confines of Judah and Benjamin: ( Note , 6.) and many of those who had
V. 6. It is doubtful, whether Jeremiah acted prudently in this decision: the event seems to indicate the contrary; and it was the evident meaning of all the foregoing predictions, that the Jews should not prosper in their own land, till seventy years were expired. But he was influenced by love to the promised land, || commanded bodies of troops in different parts Moreover Johanan the son of || man shall know it : wherefore should he
13 Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,
14 And said unto nim, Dost thou certainly know, that Baalis the king of the a Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.
15 Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no
of the land, and of those who had fled into the adjacent countries, now repaired to Gedaliah, with some hopes of enjoying peace and acquiring a settlement. ( Marg . Ref . ) - Gedaliah || seems to have been an upright man, and a cordial friend to his people, and well approved by them. He encouraged them to expect protection from the Chaldeans, whilst they continued in quiet subjection: he engaged, with a solemn oath, not to injure or oppress them, but to do them all the service in his power: and he excited them to make all the provision which they could for their wants, by collecting such of the fruits of the earth as had escaped the ravages of war. Accordingly their numbers increased; they gathered gre great abun
e 12:3,4. 2 Sam. 18:3. 21:17. a 39:2. 52:6. 2 Kings 25:3,8, Ez. 33:24-29. John 11:50. 25. Zech. 7:5, 8:19.
f 41:2. Matt. 10:16,17. Rom. b See on 40:8. 3 : 8 .
own or other men's cruel oppressions of them; and think themselves justified, because the scripture is fulfilled: ( Notes , Gen. 9:24,25. Deut . 28:37.) though it was equally fulfilled by the treachery of Judas, and the malice of those who crucified Christ! None, however, are so hardened as apostate professors of religion.- It is allowable for faithful ministers to receive the proffered kindness even of ungodly men, when it can be done without appearance of selfishness; when it does not tend to deceive or prejudice the giver; and when it is not to be purchased, or repaid, by any sinful compli- ances or flatteries. ( Notes , 2 Kings 5:15-19.8: 9.) Nay, their counsel may be often taken in secular matters; for they are "wise in their
dance of provisions; and they had a fair pros-generation." -Those who earnestly desire the
pect of again prospering, had not their unrepented wickedness entailed divine judgments on them. ( Notes , 2 Kings 25:22-26. Ez . 33: 24-29.)
Serve. (10) Or, "stand before" the Chaldeans, as a mediator: ( Note , 15:1. Zech. 3:1-4.) or, as ready to receive and obey their commands.
V. 13-16. Johanan and his companions seem to have acted honestly in this affair. They had received certain intelligence of the plot formed against Gedaliah's life, and consequently against the whole new settlement. Ishmael, (whose very name seemed hostile to Israel,) being a branch of David's family, was probably displeased that another was preferred above him: and the king of the Ammonites, (as it seems, out of hatred to the Jews,) employed him to slay Gedaliah. ( Marg . Ref . a, b.) But Gedaliah, conscious of his own integrity and good will to the people, was too unsuspecting: and as Johanan proposed a violent and very exceptionable method of defeating
salvation of sinners, and the prosperity of the church, are apt to take encouragement from transient appearances, to expect better times: and they prefer prefer the hope of being hope of being useful, to the most secure and profitable situations, in which they they would be shut out from the ordinances of God, and waste their lives to no purpose.After heavy calamities men might again obtain peace and comfort, if they would but submit to Providence, and to those placed over them; if they would accommodate themselves to their circumstances, and apply themselves, with diligence, quietness, and honesty, to the duties of their station; and especially, if they would repent of their sins, and seek peace with God and protection from him. ( Note , 29:4-7.) But his wrath pursueth the impenitent into every place and condition: and whilst pride, ambition, avarice, or revenge bear rule, men will form new projects, and be restless in mischief, which commonly ends in their own ruin and that of other men.-Advancement, above such as were equals or superiors, always excites en
Ishmael's design, he seems to have considered vy and opposition: and no equity, kindness, or the information as malicious. Yet he certain-services, can afford security from the assaults ly ought to have examined into the evidence, of turbulent enmity and disappointed ambi
and to have confined Ishmael; or to have taken some precautions for his own safety, on which that of the people so much depended. But he was left to this indiscretion, that judgment might come to the uttermost on this incorrigible remnant of the Jews. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref.-Notes, 41:1-10.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Many can see the justice of God's judgments, and the truths of his words, in the case of others, who are heedless, or blind, as to those things which relate to themselves. Nay, some plead the prophecies against the Jews, and the descendants of Ham, in vindication of their
tion. (Notes, Prov. 27:4. Ec . 4:4-6.) -When men mean well, they are often too free from suspicion: and even information and good counsel, when given with violence, and connected with unjustifiable proposals, will often be rejected by conscientious persons. We have, however, need to be "wise ás serpents, as well as harmless as doves;" not only for our own preservation, but to prevent "one sinner from destroying much good." Yet we should especially learn to trust in God alone; as the most powerful earthly protectors cannot secure us, from the base designs even of very mean and inconsiderable enemies.
aniah the son of Elishama, d of the ⚫ seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.
2 Then arose Ishmael the son of Neth-* aniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, & whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.
3 Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war.
4 And it came to pass, the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it ,
5 That there i came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from m Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards
с 36:12,20.
d Prov. 13:10. 27:4. Jam. 4:1 3.
e 2 Kings 11:1. 2 Chr. 22:10. Ez. 17:13.
[40:14-16. 2 Sam. 3:27. 20:9, 10. Ps. 41:9. 109:5. Prov. 26: 23-26. Dan. 11:26,27. Luke 22:47,48. John 13.18.
| Ec. 9:18. Lam. 1:2.
i 1 Sam. 27:11. Ps. 52:1,2. J 2 Kings 10:13,14.
k Gen. 33:18. 34:2. Josh. 24: 32. Judg. 9:1. 1 Kings 12:1,
25.
17:12,14. Josh. 18:1. m 1 Kings 16:24,29. n Lev. 19:27,28. Deut. 14:1. Is. 15:2.
NOTES.
Three