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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 38:14-28

In the foregoing chapter we had the king in close conference with Jeremiah, and here again, though (Jer. 38:5) he had given him up into the hands of his enemies; such a struggle there was in the breast of this unhappy prince between his convictions and his corruptions. Observe, I. The honour that Zedekiah did to the prophet. When he was newly fetched out of the dungeon he sent for him to advise with him privately. He met him in the third entry, or (as the margin reads it) the principal entry,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 38:25

But if the princes hear that I have talked to thee ,.... Which the king suspected they would; and could hardly think but somebody or other would see him and the prophet talking together; who would be officious enough to go and acquaint the princes with it, though he had endeavoured to be as private as possible; however, to provide against the worst, he instructs Jeremiah what to say to them, should they hear of their being together: and they come unto thee : as he did not doubt but they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 38:25

Verse 25 Here again Zedekiah shews his anxiety, lest Jeremiah should be apprehended, were the princes unexpectedly to assail him; for he might in this respect have stumbled, though admonished. Then the king intimated to him what to answer, in case the counselors came to him and made inquiry respecting their intercourse. He then advised him simply to say, that he entreated him not to send him back to the filthy pit, where he almost perished. The miserable servitude of the king appears now still... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 38:24-27

Jeremiah 38:24-27. Then said Zedekiah, Let no man know of these words, &c. Keep what has passed between us secret, and I will keep my promise to thee of preserving thy life. These words sufficiently show that Zedekiah stood in fear of his courtiers. This is the righteous judgment of God, that those who will not sanctify the Lord of hosts in their hearts, and make him their fear, shall fear men, whom to fear is to be in a state of ignoble and miserable bondage. But if the princes... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 38:1-28

Jeremiah’s escape from death (38:1-28)The chief officials in Jerusalem were a powerful group. They hated Jeremiah for his unchanging message of ‘submit to Babylon or perish’, and they managed to force the king to hand over Jeremiah to them for execution (38:1-5). They dropped him into a filthy disused well and left him there to die (6).There was, however, in Zedekiah’s court an African who had risen to a position of responsibility and who was favourable to Jeremiah. In an action that showed... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 38:25

25. Kings are often such only in title; they are really under the power of their subjects. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Jeremiah 38:25-26

If Zedekiah’s nobles asked Jeremiah what he and the king had talked about, he was to say that he had asked the king not to send him back to the house of Jonathan because he would die there. He had asked the king not to return him there earlier (Jeremiah 37:20). read more

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