Jeremiah 40:7-44:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 40:7-16

We have in these verses, I. A bright sky opening upon the remnant of the Jews that were left in their own land, and a comfortable prospect given them of some peace and quietness after the many years of trouble and terror with which they had been afflicted. Jeremiah indeed had never in his prophecies spoken of any such good days reserved for the Jews immediately after the captivity; but Providence seemed to raise and encourage such an expectation, and it would be to that miserable people as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 40:7

Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields ,.... Not the captains of the king of Babylon's forces, but the captains of the king of Judah's forces; who either during the siege had lurked in the fields and villages, not daring to fall upon the Chaldean army, or attempt to raise the siege; or rather who fled with Zedekiah from Jerusalem, when the city was taken, and who deserted him, when he was apprehended, and shifted for themselves, and were dispersed about in the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 40:7

Verse 7 Mention has been before made of Gedaliah. We have seen that the Prophet was once rescued from death through his kindness, for he interposed for him when almost all with one consent doomed the holy Prophet to death. (119) And God bestowed on him no common honor, that while he was seeking nothing, Nebuchadnezzar should set him as governor over the land. He did not, indeed, enjoy power for any length of time; but it was yet God’s will to extend his hand to the pious man, so that he might... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 40:1-16

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 40:7

In the fields; rather, in the field ; i.e. in the open country, as opposed to the towns. Men, and women, and children. Old and worn out men, helpless widows, and fatherless children. Royal princesses were among them ( Jeremiah 41:10 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 40:7-12

The Jewish fugitives resort to Gedaliah, who promises them protection as long as they are loyal to Babylon. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 40:7-12

The duties of adversity and their reward. I. THE DUTIES . 1 . Submission. We are not required to yield before avoidable troubles; but finding some to be irresistible, we are to learn the wisdom and obligation of bending to them without further demur. The captains were no cowards; they had fought and had lost. Their resistance against the inevitable was a mistake; continued resistance after defeat would have been nothing but folly. Submission is much easier when we remember that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 40:7-12

That we may be godly and quietly governed. These verses are an illustration of men's desire for such government. In the disorder and confusion of the times, men were looking out for some settled rule. Companies of armed men were camping about, only waiting for some sign to indicate to whose standard they should repair. That which they wanted seemed to be found in Gedaliah. Hence they go to him ( Jeremiah 40:8 ). The incident here recorded suggests, in regard to government generally— ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 40:7-12

The difficulties of a governor. To govern a country is never an easy task; but how difficult it must be when the work is that of reconstruction! Gedaliah has to begin, as it were, at the beginning. One of his first difficulties is to know exactly what he has to deal with. There are turbulent as well as peaceful dements, bands of free-lances, who, now that the Chaldean has gone, make their appearance before the governor to see what the prospect may be. Another difficulty is that of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 40:7

The men would be the old and infirm: the women those whose husbands and protectors had perished in the wars (e. g. Jeremiah 41:10). The word children includes all the inferior members of a household. read more

Group of Brands