2 Kings 25:26

26 Then all the people of Judah, from the least to the greatest, as well as the army commanders, fled in panic to Egypt, for they were afraid of what the Babylonians would do to them.

2 Kings 25:26 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 25:26

And all the people, both small and great
High and low, rich and poor, among whom were the king's daughters, committed to the care of Gedaliah, and also the prophets Jeremiah and Baruch, see ( Jeremiah 41:16 ) ( 43:6 )

and the captains of the armies rose, and came to Egypt;
contrary to the express command of God; these were Johanan, and the captain of the forces with him, ( Jeremiah 43:4 Jeremiah 43:5 )

for they were afraid of the Chaldees;
lest they should come and avenge the death of Gedaliah, appointed governor of Judea, see ( Jeremiah 41:17 ) ( 43:3 ) .

2 Kings 25:26 In-Context

24 Gedaliah vowed to them that the Babylonian officials meant them no harm. “Don’t be afraid of them. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and all will go well for you,” he promised.

25 But in midautumn of that year, Ishmael son of Nethaniah and grandson of Elishama, who was a member of the royal family, went to Mizpah with ten men and killed Gedaliah. He also killed all the Judeans and Babylonians who were with him at Mizpah.

26 Then all the people of Judah, from the least to the greatest, as well as the army commanders, fled in panic to Egypt, for they were afraid of what the Babylonians would do to them.

27 In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of King Jehoiachin of Judah, Evil-merodach ascended to the Babylonian throne. He was kind to Jehoiachin and released him from prison on April 2 of that year.

28 He spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and gave him a higher place than all the other exiled kings in Babylon.