Jeremiah 41

1 et factum est in mense septimo venit Ismahel filius Nathaniae filii Elisama de semine regali et optimates regis et decem viri cum eo ad Godoliam filium Ahicam in Masphat et comederunt ibi panes simul in Masphat

2 surrexit autem Ismahel filius Nathaniae et decem viri qui erant cum eo et percusserunt Godoliam filium Ahicam filii Saphan gladio et interfecerunt eum quem praefecerat rex Babylonis terrae

3 omnes quoque Iudaeos qui erant cum Godolia in Masphat et Chaldeos qui repperti sunt ibi et viros bellatores percussit Ismahel

4 secundo autem die postquam occiderat Godoliam nullo adhuc sciente

5 venerunt viri de Sychem et de Silo et de Samaria octoginta viri rasi barbam et scissis vestibus et squalentes munera et tus habebant in manu ut offerrent in domo Domini

6 egressus ergo Ismahel filius Nathaniae in occursum eorum de Masphat incedens et plorans ibat cum autem occurrisset eis dixit ad eos venite ad Godoliam filium Ahicam

7 qui cum venissent ad medium civitatis interfecit eos Ismahel filius Nathaniae circa medium laci ipse et viri qui erant cum eo

8 decem autem viri repperti sunt inter eos qui dixerunt ad Ismahel noli occidere nos quia habemus thesauros in agro frumenti et hordei et olei et mellis et cessavit et non interfecit eos cum fratribus suis

9 lacus autem in quem proiecerat Ismahel omnia cadavera virorum quos percussit propter Godoliam ipse est quem fecit rex Asa propter Baasa regem Israhel ipsum replevit Ismahel filius Nathaniae occisis

10 et captivas duxit Ismahel omnes reliquias populi qui erant in Masphat filias regis et universum populum qui remanserat in Masphat quos commendarat Nabuzardan princeps militiae Godoliae filio Ahicam et cepit eos Ismahel filius Nathaniae et abiit ut transiret ad filios Ammon

11 audivit autem Iohanan filius Caree et omnes principes bellatorum qui erant cum eo omne malum quod fecerat Ismahel filius Nathaniae

12 et adsumptis universis viris profecti sunt ut bellarent adversum Ismahel filium Nathaniae et invenerunt eum ad aquas Multas quae sunt in Gabaon

13 cumque vidisset omnis populus qui erat cum Ismahel Iohanan filium Caree et universos principes bellatorum qui erant cum eo laetati sunt

14 et reversus est omnis populus quem ceperat Ismahel in Masphat reversusque abiit ad Iohanan filium Caree

15 Ismahel autem filius Nathaniae fugit cum octo viris a facie Iohanan et abiit ad filios Ammon

16 tulit ergo Iohanan filius Caree et omnes principes bellatorum qui erant cum eo universas reliquias vulgi quas reduxerat ab Ismahel filio Nathaniae de Masphat postquam percussit Godoliam filium Ahicam fortes viros ad proelium et mulieres et pueros et eunuchos quos reduxerat de Gabaon

17 et abierunt et sederunt peregrinantes in Chamaam quae est iuxta Bethleem ut pergerent et introirent Aegyptum

18 a facie Chaldeorum timebant enim eos quia percusserat Ismahel filius Nathaniae Godoliam filium Ahicam quem praeposuerat rex Babylonis in terra Iuda

Jeremiah 41 Commentary

Chapter 41

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

Verses 1-10 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.

Verses 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.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 41

This chapter relates the event of the conspiracy against Gedaliah Johanan and the princes had informed him of, to which he gave no credit; but it proved true. An account is given of the murder of Gedaliah, and of the Jews and Chaldeans with him; and of the perpetrators of it, Jer 41:1-3; and of the chief of them, Ishmael's treacherous dealing with fourscore men that came from several parts to the house of God to offer sacrifice, who all perished by his hands, excepting ten, Jer 41:4-9; and of the rest of the people at Mizpah being carried away, in order to be captives among the Ammonites, Jer 41:10; and of Johanan, and the rest of the captives, hearing of all this, and coming out to fight with Ishmael; upon which the people deserted him, and he fled to the Ammonites, Jer 41:11-15; and of Johanan and the people settling in the way to Egypt, to flee there on occasion, should the Chaldeans fall on them for what was done to the governor, which they feared, Jer 41:16-18.