Jeremiah 38:24-27

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 38:24

Then said Zedekiah to Jeremiah ,.... Not a word signifying his approbation of the counsel given him, or that he intended to take it; his silence showed the reverse: let no man know of these words : that had passed between them; of the conference and conversation they had had together, at least not the particulars of it; the thing itself was known, as appears by what follows, that the king and prophet had been discoursing together; but what they talked of, he desires might be concealed,... 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 Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 38:26

Then thou shalt say unto them ,.... Here the king puts words into the prophet's mouth, what he should say to the princes, to put them off from inquiring further, and so keep the matter a secret: I presented my supplication before the king ; or "caused it to fall" F4 מפיל אני תחנתי "cadere feci deprecationem meam", Pagninus; "cadere faciens fui", &c.; Schmidt. ; delivered it in an humble and submissive manner: that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 38:27

Then came all the princes to Jeremiah, and asked him ,.... After he had parted with the king, and was come back to the court of the prison; as soon as the princes had been informed of the interview between the king and the prophet, which soon came to their ears, they came in a body to him, to the court of the prison, where he was, and asked him of what passed between him and the king: and he told them according to all those words that the king had commanded ; what he told them, no doubt,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 38:26

I presented my supplication - This was telling the truth, and nothing but the truth, but not the whole truth. The king did not wish him to defile his conscience, nor did he propose any thing that was not consistent with the truth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 38:27

The matter was not perceived - They did not question him farther; and the king's commandment to remove him from the house of Jonathan being well known, they took for granted that they had all the information that they sought. And he was most certainly not obliged to relate any thing that might embroil this weak king with his factious but powerful princes, or affect his own life. He related simply what was necessary, and no more. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 38:24

Verse 24 Here is seen the miserable condition of the king. Had he no faith in the answer of Jeremiah, he would not have thus feared. But he acknowledged that what he had heard from the mouth of the Prophet was true. In the meanwhile he delayed and extended time as far as he could, and chose rather to spend his life in trembling than to be immediately freed from all care and anxiety. This was by no means to act like a king; for had he any courage, he would not have waited to the last hour. We... 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

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

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