Jeremiah 41KJV
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Jeremiah41

King James Version · Public Domain

1Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.

2Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

3Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war.

4And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it,

5That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the Lord.

6And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.

7And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.

8But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.

9Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, was it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.

10Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, even the king's daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzar–adan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the Ammonites.

11But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,

12Then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon.

13Now it came to pass, that when all the people which were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, then they were glad.

14So all the people that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah cast about and returned, and went unto Johanan the son of Kareah.

15But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites.

16Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, 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, even mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon:

17And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Beth–lehem, to go to enter into Egypt,

18Because 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.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Jeremiah 41.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Ishmael murders Gedaliah. (1-10). Johanan recovers the captives, and purposes to retire to Egypt. (11-18).

vv1-10

Those who hate the worshippers of God, often put on the appearance of piety, that they may the easier hurt them. As death often meets men where they least expect it, we should continually search whether we are in such a state and frame of mind, as we would wish to be found in when called to appear before our Judge. Sometimes the ransom of a man's life is his riches. But those who think to bribe death, saying, Slay us not, for we have treasures in the field, will find themselves wretchedly deceived. This melancholy history warns us, never to be secure in this world. We never can be sure of peace on this side heaven.

vv11-18

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.

Cross References

Jeremiah 41
v12 Kings 25:25thematic

The parallel historical account of Ishmael's conspiracy, royal pedigree, and murder of Gedaliah.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Psalms 41:9allusion

Violation of the sacred covenant of hospitality by turning against one who shared bread.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v91 Kings 15:22thematic

The historical origin of the cistern (pit) built by King Asa during his war with Baasha.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v172 Samuel 19:37thematic

Explains the origin of the 'habitation of Chimham' near Bethlehem, given to Barzillai's son by David.

Supported by JFB

The immediate background of Johanan warning Gedaliah about Ishmael's plot with Baalis the Ammonite.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

The forbidden pagan mourning practices of shaving and cutting, used by the visiting men of Samaria.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v8Proverbs 13:8thematic

Illustrates how the ten men saved their lives by using their hidden earthly treasures as ransom.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v10Jeremiah 43:5-7thematic

The eventual fulfillment of Johanan taking the recovered remnant (including king's daughters) to Egypt.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v122 Samuel 2:13thematic

Identifies the historical location of the 'great waters' or pool of Gibeon where Johanan caught Ishmael.

Supported by JFB

v1Zechariah 7:5thematic

The fast of the seventh month was instituted to mourn the tragic assassination of Gedaliah.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v1Zechariah 8:19thematic

Mentions the fast of the seventh month, commemorating Gedaliah's murder and the dispersion of the remnant.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v10Jeremiah 43:6thematic

Explicitly names 'the king's daughters' who were carried off by Ishmael and later taken by Johanan.

Supported by JFB

Describes Ishmael's hypocritical weeping to mask malice and hatred in his heart.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v162 Kings 25:26thematic

Parallel account of the remaining people fleeing to Egypt for fear of Chaldean reprisal.

Supported by JFB