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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 41:1-10

It is hard to say which is more astonishing, God's permitting or men's perpetrating such villanies as here we find committed. Such base, barbarous, bloody work is here done by men who by their birth should have been men of honour, by their religion just men, and this done upon those of their own nature, their own nation, their own religion, and now their brethren in affliction, when they were all brought under the power of the victorious Chaldeans, and smarting under the judgments of God, upon... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 41:1

Now it came to pass in the seventh month ,.... The month Tisri, which answers to part of our September, and part of October; according to the Jewish F2 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 26. p. 76. chronicle, it was on the third day of this month, fifty two days after the destruction of the temple, that Gedaliah was slain; on which day a fast was kept by the Jews, after their return from captivity, on this occasion, called the fast of the seventh month, Zechariah 7:5 ; though, according to Kimchi... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 41:1

Now - in the seventh month - Answering to the first new moon in our month of October. There they did eat bread together - This was the same as making a solemn covenant; for he who ate bread with another was ever reputed a friend. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 41:1

Verse 1 It was a detestable cruelty and barbarity in Ishmael to kill Gedaliah who entertained him, and whom he found to possess a paternal regard towards him. Heathens have ever deemed hospitality sacred; and to violate it has been counted by them as the greatest atrocity; and hospitable Jupiter ever possessed among them the right of taking vengeance, if any one broke an oath given when at table. Now Ishmael had sworn, as we have seen, that he would be faithful to Gedaliah. He was again... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 41:1

In the seventh month; i.e. two months after the destruction of Jerusalem and the appointment of Gedaliah. It seems strange, however, that the occurrences related in Jeremiah 40:1-16 ; Jeremiah 41:1-18 . should have taken so short a time. Gratz calls in question the accuracy of the chronological statement. He quotes Ezekiel 33:24-29 , which shows that at least six months (according to his calculation) after the fall of Jerusalem Jewish fugitives still lingered on, and hoped to obtain... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 41:1-3

The assassination of Gedaliah. I. HIGH POSITION BRINGS GREAT DANGER . Kings are little to be envied. The world sees their state and majesty. It does not see the apprehensions which would make some of them willingly exchange places with the humblest peasant. Nevertheless, it is as cowardly and selfish to refuse to occupy a high position when duty calls to it as it is to fail in fulfilling one's mission in any of the lower walks of life. II. A GOOD MAN WILL PREFER TO ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 41:1-10

Devils incarnate. 1. If ever there was such a one, this Ishmael was of whom these verses tell. His atrocities remind us of the Indian Mutiny, its leader, and the well at Cawnpore (cf. Jeremiah 41:9 ). Treachery, ingratitude, murder, massacre, greed, cowardice,—all are gathered in this detestable character (cf. Mr. Grove's article "Ishmael," Smith's 'Dictionary of the Bible'). 2 . And such men are permitted to be. So clearly seen is this, that every drama has its villain; they are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 41:1-18

A great crime and its consequence. I. A GREAT CRIME . The slaying of Gedaliah was accompanied by circumstances making it peculiarly atrocious. 1 . The breach of good fellowship. There had been professions of amity before. Gedaliah shows by deed his confidence in Ishmael, sitting down with him at a common meal. 2 . The subsequent slaughter. The slaying of Gedaliah was not enough to serve the purpose. A man, once entered on the ways of crime, cannot say, "So far I will go,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 41:1

The seventh month - Gedaliah’s government lasted less than two months.Even - Rather, and. Ishmael was descended probably from Elishama the son of David 2 Samuel 5:16. Ten grandees each with his retinue would have aroused suspicion, but the smallness of Ishmael’s following put Gedaliah completely off his guard. read more

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