Jeremiah 41:18

Because of the Chaldeans: for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land. BECAUSE OF THE CHALDEANS; FOR THEY WERE AFRAID - lest the Chaldeans should suspect all the Jews of being implicated in Ishmael's treason, as though the Jews sought to have a prince of the house of David (). Their better way toward gaining God's favour would have been to have laid the blame on the real culprit, and to have cleared themselves. A tortuous policy is the parent of fear. Righteousness inspires with boldness (; ). Remarks: (1) How much of history consists of the intrigues, ambiti...

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 pardon from King Nebuchadnezzar; but as no fear of God prevailed in them, they did not consider what was lawful, and were by a blind impulse led into Egypt. Thus fear was no alleviation to their crime, for there was another remedy at hand, which God would have blessed. But when they disregarded God’s word, and followed what their own feelings dictated to them, they contrived in a very bad way for them...

11-18 The success of villany must be short, and none can prosper who harden their hearts against God. And those justly lose comfort in real fears, who excuse themselves in sin by pretended fears. The removal of a prudent and peaceable ruler, and the succession of another who is rash and ambitious, affects the welfare of many. Only those are happy and steady who fear the Lord and walk in his ways....

EXPOSITION JEREMIAH 41:1 Assassination of Gedaliah and other Jews. 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; Jeremiah 41:1. should have taken so short a time. Gratz calls in question the accuracy of the chronological statement. He quotes Ezekiel 33:24, which shows that at least six months (accor

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 THE KING OF BABYLON MADE GOVERNOR IN THE LAND; no doubt it was provoking to them to hear that the viceroy or deputy governor of the king of Babylon was slain in this manner; and still more so, as there were many Chaldeans slain with him; but there was no reason to believe that the king of Babylon would carry his resentment against the Jews with Johanan, or take vengeance on

III. AFTER THE FALL OF JERUSALEM (40-45) Chapter S 40-41 The Treachery in the Land and the Flight to Egypt _ 1. Jeremiah's choice (Jeremiah 40:1) _ 2. Gedaliah and Ishmael's deed (Jeremiah 40:7; Jeremiah 41:1) 3. Ishmael's further atrocities and retreat (Jeremiah 41:4) Jeremiah 40:1. The opening paragraph of this chapter tells us of the choice which was given to Jeremiah. He was loosed from the prisoner's chains and told by the captain of the guard “If it seems good unto thee to come with me i

ISHMAEL'S DEEDS AND FLIGHT. Eighty pilgrims from N. Israel to Jerusalem, mourning its fall, and carrying offerings (Jeremiah 17:26), were met by Ishmael and enticed into Mizpah. There he killed them all except ten who acknowledged that they had stores of grain, etc. Ishmael threw all the dead bodies into a great cistern, made by Asa, and started for Ammon, with the surviving Jews as his captives, including certain princesses (doubtless also Jeremiah and Baruch; _cf._ Jeremiah 42:2; Jeremiah 43:3). Johanan and other Jews pursued Ishmael and overtook him at Gibeon, but he escaped with eight men. His captives were taken by Johanan to the neighbourhood of Bethlehem, with a view to migration into Egypt (for other ref

Jeremiah 41:4-18. Ishmael commits further massacres and carries off captives The section may be summarized as follows. (i) Jeremiah 41:4. The following day eighty pilgrims arrive. Ishmael goes weeping to meet them, and bids them come to Gedaliah. Having thus decoyed them into the city, he puts them all to death, except ten men who purchase their lives by disclosing the places where they possess hidden stores of food. Ishmael fills a pit with the slain, and carries away captive all the rest of the inhabitants of Mizpah. (ii) Jeremiah 41:11. Johanan and the captains who were with him go in pursuit of Ishmael, and release his captives. Ishmael himself with ten men escapes to the country of Ammon, while J

1. _The reasoning of the people_ (Jeremiah 41:17-18) TRANSLATION (17) And setting out they lodged at Gerut-Chimham near Bethlehem with the purpose of going on to Egypt. (18) They feared because of the Chaldeans since Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam whom the king of Babylon had appointed over the land. COMMENTS The remnant was completely dismayed and unnerved by the events of the past few days. They feared the wrath of king Nebuchadnezzar. After all, the governor whom he had appointed was dead and several Chaldean officers had been slain. No doubt Nebuchadnezzar would construe this as an act of overt rebellion against his authority. Since the real assassins had escaped, surely the Chaldeans would pour out their wrath on the Jews who remained in the land. They must leave the land before the soldiers of Nebuchadn

PLOT AGAINST GEDALIAH AND ITS RESULTS (586 B.C.) 1-10. Ishmael murders Gedaliah and others, and carries off captives....