Jeremiah 41:16-18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 41:11-18

It would have been well if Johanan, when he gave information to Gedaliah of Ishmael's treasonable design, though he could not obtain leave to kill Ishmael and to prevent it that way, yet had staid with Gedaliah; for he, and his captains, and their forces, might have been a life-guard to Gedaliah and a terror to Ishmael, and so have prevented the mischief without the effusion of blood: but, it seems they were out upon some expedition, perhaps no good one, and so were out of the way when they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 41:16

Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him ,.... After Ishmael had made his escape, whom they did not think fit to pursue, and the people had committed themselves to their care and protection; and having brought them to Mizpah again, they took them from thence, as follows: all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah from Mizpah, after that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam : those whom he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 41:17

And they departed ,.... From Mizpah, Johanan, and the captains of the forces, and all the people rescued from Ishmael: and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem : so called perhaps from Chimham, the son of Barzillai the Gileadite, to whom David or Solomon might give this place to dwell in, 2 Samuel 19:37 , 1 Kings 2:7 . The Targum is express for the former, calling it "the habitation which David gave to Chimham, the son of Barzillai the Gileadite;' and as it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 41:18

Because of the Chaldeans ,.... Which clause some think should have been joined to Jeremiah 41:17 . This is a reason given why they departed from Mizpah, and dwelt at the habitation of Chimham in the way to Egypt; and which is explained in the next words: for they were afraid of them ; at least this they pretended, that the Chaldeans would come upon them, and cut them off, and revenge themselves on them: because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 41:16

The women - children, and the eunuchs - These were all most probably, persons who belonged to the palace and harem of Zedekiah: some of them his own concubines and their children. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 41:17

Dwelt in the habitation of Chimham - The estate that David gave Chimham, the son of Barzillai. See 2 Samuel 19:37 , etc. He took this merely as a resting-place; as he designed to carry all into Egypt, fearing the Chaldeans, who would endeavor to revenge the death of Gedaliah. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 41:16

Verse 16 The Prophet now shews, that though some kind of virtue appeared in John the son of Kareah, he was not yet of a right mind. He was an energetic and a discreet man, but he discovered his unbelief, when he led the remnant of the people into Egypt, while the Prophet was forbidding such a thing. He already knew that this was not lawful, but his obstinacy was two-fold more, when the Prophet repudiated his project, as we shall see. This passage then teaches us, that though the leaders of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 41:17

Verse 17 But the Prophet immediately adds what the purpose was which they had all formed. They dwelt, he says, in Geruth; some render it, “in the peregrination;” but it seems to me to be a proper name, and I agree with those who so render it. (126) But it is called the Geruth of Chimham, of whom mention is made in 2 Samuel 19:31. he was the son of Barzillai, who entertained David when a fugitive from his kingdom, and entertained him bountifully. When David wished to remunerate his kindness, the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 41:18

Verse 18 He then says, that they were there for a time, but that they looked forward to Egypt, on account, he says, of the Chaldeans, because they feared them, and for this reason, because Ishmael had killed Gedaliah, whom Nebuchadnezzar had set over the land This fear was not without reason; but they might have sent persons to the king of Babylon, and have thrown the blame on the right person, and cleared themselves; and the matter might have been settled. They might then have easily obtained... 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

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