United Commentaries

Jer.40.1-6

This passage provides some details about what happened to Jeremiah immediately after the fall of Jerusalem.

Jer.40.2-3

The captain of the guard quoted the prediction of the Lord through Jeremiah that had now been fulfilled.

Jer.40.6

Gedaliah’s new headquarters were in Mizpah, eight miles north of the ruined Jerusalem.

Jer.40.7-12

The new government was organized under Gedaliah, who belonged to a family of high rank. His grandfather Shaphan had taken King Josiah the scroll of the law that sparked reformation (2 Kgs 22:10). Gedaliah’s father, Ahikam, had held a high post in Jehoiakim’s close circle of officials, and he had saved Jeremiah’s life (Jer 26:24).

Jer.40.7-8

News spread swiftly among the Judean guerrilla bands and the poor people who were left behind about Gedaliah’s appointment as governor. A small group of guerrilla leaders arranged to meet with Gedaliah in order to gain a better understanding of the new governor’s plans.

Jer.40.9-10

Gedaliah did his best to assure the Judean guerrillas that peaceful settlement under the rule of the Babylonians would bring prosperity.

Jer.40.11-12

The new governor’s promises encouraged people of Judah who had fled to neighboring countries to move back to their land. The mention of a great harvest indicates that the Babylonians had not destroyed the crops when they laid siege to Jerusalem.

Jer.40.14

Ammon was a small highland nation east of the Jordan Valley.

Ishmael son of Nethaniah had royal blood in his veins (2 Kgs 25:25).

Jer.40.16

Gedaliah’s response betrayed his naiveté and the lack of trust in advisers that infected the whole chaotic situation.