John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 40:8
Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah ,.... Having heard that the Chaldean army was gone, and so were in no fear of that; and also that Gedaliah was made deputy governor, one of their own nation, a pious, prudent, good man, a man of ingenuity, mildness, and integrity; under whose government they might expect to live comfortably; and which was much preferable to captivity in a foreign country, though tributary to Babylon: even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah ; who was of the seed royal, ... read more
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 40:7
Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields ,.... Not the captains of the king of Babylon's forces, but the captains of the king of Judah's forces; who either during the siege had lurked in the fields and villages, not daring to fall upon the Chaldean army, or attempt to raise the siege; or rather who fled with Zedekiah from Jerusalem, when the city was taken, and who deserted him, when he was apprehended, and shifted for themselves, and were dispersed about in the... read more