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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 37:1-10

Here is, 1. Jeremiah's preaching slighted, Jer. 37:1, 2. Zedekiah succeeded Coniah, or Jeconiah, and, though he saw in his predecessor the fatal consequences of contemning the word of God, yet he did not take warning, nor give any more regard to it than others had done before him. Neither he, nor his courtiers, nor the people of the land, hearkened unto the words of the Lord, though they already began to be fulfilled. Note, Those have hearts wretchedly hard indeed that see God's judgments on... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:1

And King Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned ,.... The brother of Jehoiakim, whose untimely death, and want of burial, are prophesied of in the preceding chapter. The name of Zedekiah was Mattaniah before he was king; his name was changed by the king of Babylon, who made him king, 2 Kings 24:17 ; instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim : the same with Jehoiakim, or jeconiah, called Coniah by way of contempt; he reigned but three months, and so was not reckoned as a king, not being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:2

But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land ,.... The king, his courtiers and subjects the royal family, nobility, and common people; they were all degenerate and corrupt. Jarchi observes, that Jehoiakim was wicked, and his people righteous; and that Zedekiah was righteous, and his people wicked but he seems to found his character on that single action of taking Jeremiah out of prison; whereas, according to this account, king and people were all wicked: for neither one or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:3

And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest ,.... That is, Zephaniah the priest, as the accents shaw; though his father Maaseiah was doubtless a priest too; according to the Syriac version, both Jehucal, called Jucal, Jeremiah 38:1 ; and Zephaniah, were priests; since it reads in the plural number, "priests": these the king sent as messengers to the Prophet Jeremiah, saying, pray now unto the Lord our God for us . This message... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:4

Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people ,.... Was at full liberty, and could go out of the city, and come in, when he pleased; or go into any part of it, and converse with the people, and prophesy to them; which he could not do in the latter part of Jehoiakim's reign, who sent persons after him and Baruch to take them, and they were obliged to hide themselves, yea, the Lord hid them, Jeremiah 36:19 ; but now he was under no restraint, as least as yet: for they had not put him... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:5

Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt ,.... At the time the above message was sent to Jeremiah. Zedekiah, though he had took an oath of homage to the king of Babylon, rebelled against him, and entered into a league with the king of Egypt, to whom he sent for succours in his distress; and who, according to agreement, sent his army out of Egypt to break up the siege of Jerusalem; for though the king of Egypt came no more in person out of his land, after his defeat at Carchemish by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:6

Then came the word of the Lord unto the Prophet Jeremiah ,.... At the time when the messengers came to him from the king to pray for them; for Jeremiah 37:4 are to be included in a parenthesis: saying ; as follows: which is an answer to the messengers. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:7

Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel ,.... Which are the usual titles and characters the Lord takes to himself, when he spake by the prophet; see Jeremiah 34:2 ; thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me, to inquire of me ; in an oracular way; for by this it seems that they were not only sent to desire the prophet to pray for them, but to obtain an oracle from the Lord, confirming it to them, that the Chaldean army which was gone would not return any more; this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 37:8

And the Chaldeans shall come again ,.... To Jerusalem, after they have defeated or drove back the Egyptian army: and fight against this city ; with fresh rigour and resolution; being exasperated by the methods taken to oblige them to raise the siege: and take it, and burn it with fire ; as they did, Jeremiah 39:8 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 37:1

And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah - Of the siege and taking of Jerusalem referred to here, and the making of Zedekiah king instead of Jeconiah, see 2 Kings 24:1 ; (note), etc., and the notes there. read more

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