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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 38:26

Verse 26 He says, “Though they promise thee impunity, trust them not.” Zedekiah feared lest the Prophet should be too credulous, and should freely relate to the counselors what he had said. But he no doubt had reflected on the fact, that the Prophet had already announced the destruction of the city. He then could have hardly hoped for the silence which he required. Hence then it was, that he so earnestly bid him to be careful; and though the counselors should promise that there would be no... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 38:27

Verse 27 Here, indeed, the Prophet confesses that he did as the king had commanded him; but he does not commend what he had done. There is no doubt but that on the one hand he placed before his eyes the timidity of the king, who, being forgetful of plain dealing, slavishly feared his own counselors; and that., on the other hand, he manifested that he was not sufficiently discreet, for when the princes came, even if he wished not to deceive them, he yet concealed the main thing, and said that he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 38:28

Verse 28 Some render the last words simply thus, “And it happened that Jerusalem was taken;” and others, “It happened accordingly that Jerusalem was taken;” but this seems unnatural. Others take the relative as a demonstrative pronoun, and of this I approve, “For it happened that according to this Jerusalem was taken.” He first says that he dwelt in the court of the prison. It hence appears that he was not even then at liberty; for though the king wished him to be free, yet he dared not to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 38:24

Trying to serve two masters. Zedekiah was seeking to do this. He wanted to be on the prophet's side, and yet not to break with the princes who were the prophet's foes. We see the shifts to which he was driven, and we know the miserable outcome of his impossible attempt. We learn from it— I. How DESPICABLE SUCH ATTEMPTS MAKE A MAN IN HIS OWN EYES . "To thine own self be true, And it shall follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man." ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 38:24-28

The unkingly position of a king. I. THE PROFESSION OF A KINGLY ATTRIBUTE . The king holds the power of life and death. He can pardon without giving a reason. And Zedekiah maintains the name of this kingly right, even upon the very heels of Jeremiah's awful words. Such is the power of long accepted habit and privilege. Did he really think that if Jeremiah published the conversation he had power to put him to death? Or did he think that such a suggestion would move the prophet in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 38:27

He told them according to all these words. A controversy has arisen as to whether Jeremiah was justified in concealing the truth. But is a man bound to confess the truth to a murderer? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 38:27

A question of casuistry. A deservedly esteemed commentator observes on this conduct of Jeremiah, "Though we must be so harmless as doves as never to tell a wilful lie, yet we must be so wise as serpents as not needlessly to expose ourselves to danger by telling all we know." But many are not satisfied with this defence, and they hesitate not to apply the terms "equivocation," "subterfuge," and other like censures to the prophet's reply to the princes. Note, therefore— I. WHAT IS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 38:28

And he was there when, etc. The words, of which this is an incorrect version, ought to begin the first verse of the next chapter. Render (with Coverdale), And it came to pass when Jerusalem was taken ( in the ninth year of Zedekiah came Nebuchadrezzar, etc.; in the eleventh year …the city was cleft open ) that all the princes, etc. The correctness of the reading is, however, open to some doubt (see introduction to next chapter) read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 38:28

And he was there when ... - These words are altered by some to “and it came to pass when” etc., and taken to form the opening of Jeremiah 39:0. read more

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