It should seem that Ebed-melech, notwithstanding his boldness in Jeremiah's cause, (see Jeremiah 38:7-13 .) was timid concerning the threatened judgments of God upon Jerusalem. The Lord hath special respect to the fearful minds of his little ones. His grace shall be sufficient for them; and his strength shall be according to their weakness. It is blessed to know this; and doubly blessed to rely upon it in Christ. read more
15-18 Here is a message to assure Ebed-melech of a recompence for his great kindness to Jeremiah. Because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord. God recompenses men's services according to their principles. Those who trust God in the way of duty, as this good man did, will find that their hope shall not fail in times of the greatest danger. read more
Concerning The Fate of Jeremiah and of Ebed-Melech. v. 11. Now Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, gave charge concerning Jeremiah, whose prophecies and warning were known to him through deserters and through Jews carried to Babylon with Jeconiah, to Nebuzar-adan, the captain of the guard, saying, v. 12. Take him and look well to him, literally, "thine eyes set upon him," in providing for, and watching over, his well-being, and do him no harm, the protection against the wiles of others being... read more
2. APPENDIX TO Jeremiah 39:1-14.—THE PROMISE MADE TO THE CUSHITE EBED -MELECHJeremiah 39:15-1815Now the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court 16of the prison [guard], saying, Go and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts [Jehovah Zebaoth], the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring4 my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be5 accomplished 17in that day before thee. But I will deliver thee in that day,... read more
This chapter records the fall of Jerusalem. After a long siege lasting from the tenth month of the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign until the fourth month of the eleventh year, at last "a breach was made in the city," and the princes of Babylon entered. Zedekiah, with the men of war surrounding him, immediately fled, but he was arrested and brought before Nebuchadnezzar. His sons were slain before his eyes, and then his eyes were put out. This was followed by the sack of the city. The king of... read more
SECTION 2 (Jeremiah 26:1 to Jeremiah 45:5 ). Whilst the first twenty five chapters of Jeremiah have mainly been a record of his general prophecies, mostly given during the reigns of Josiah and Jehoiakim, and have been in the first person, this second section of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 26:1 to Jeremiah 45:5) is in the third person, includes a great deal of material about the problems that Jeremiah faced during his ministry and provides information about the opposition that he continually... read more
Jeremiah 39:15-Job : . Ebed-melech.— A prophecy of his deliverance, given during the siege ( cf. Jeremiah 38:7-1 Chronicles :).— His enemies ( Jeremiah 39:17) may be either the Babylonians, or the hostile princes. Jeremiah 39:18 . Cf. Jeremiah 21:9, Jeremiah 45:5. read more
But promiseth Ebed-melech he should be delivered in that evil day; and, whether he feared the Chaldeans, that he should lose his life by them when they should break up the city, or the princes, whom he had angered by complaining to the king of their hard usage of the prophet, he should come into none of their power. read more
CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES.—1. Chronology of the Chapter.—Cf. notes in loc. chap. 34. The siege lasted just one year and six months, not reckoning the interval during which the Chaldeans broke up to give battle to the army of Pharaoh.2. Contemporary Scriptures.—Ezekiel 12:8-20; Ezekiel 17:11-21; 2 Kings 25:1-12; 2 Chronicles 36:11-21; Jeremiah 52:4-11.3. National Affairs.—Vide below on “The thread of Events.”4. Personal Allusions.—Jeremiah 39:3; Jeremiah 39:13. A critical examination of... read more
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James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 39:1-18
CLOSING EVENTS OF THE SIEGE We are again in Zedekiah’s reign (Jeremiah 37:1 ), and the same disobedience as before marks the period (Jeremiah 37:2 ). We are astonished at the effrontery accompanying it, (Jeremiah 37:3 ). Note the occasion when this prayer is solicited (Jeremiah 37:4-5 ). Egypt has come up to help, and the Babylonians in consequence, have raised the siege in order to meet the approaching army. Is it not an indication that God has changed His mind about Judah after all? The... read more