Jeremiah 39

1 anno nono Sedeciae regis Iuda mense decimo venit Nabuchodonosor rex Babylonis et omnis exercitus eius ad Hierusalem et obsidebant eam

2 undecimo autem anno Sedeciae mense quarto quinta mensis aperta est civitas

3 et ingressi sunt omnes principes regis Babylonis et sederunt in porta media Neregel Sereser Semegar Nabu Sarsachim Rabsares Neregel Sereser Rebmag et omnes reliqui principes regis Babylonis

4 cumque vidisset eos Sedecias rex Iuda et omnes viri bellatores fugerunt et egressi sunt nocte de civitate per viam horti regis et per portam quae erat inter duos muros et egressi sunt ad viam deserti

5 persecutus est autem eos exercitus Chaldeorum et conprehenderunt Sedeciam in campo solitudinis hiericuntinae et captum adduxerunt ad Nabuchodonosor regem Babylonis in Reblatha quae est in terra Emath et locutus est ad eum iudicia

6 et occidit rex Babylonis filios Sedeciae in Reblatha in oculis eius et omnes nobiles Iuda occidit rex Babylonis

7 oculos quoque Sedeciae eruit et vinxit eum conpedibus ut duceretur in Babylonem

8 domum quoque regis et domum vulgi succenderunt Chaldei igni et murum Hierusalem subverterunt

9 et reliquias populi quae remanserunt in civitate et perfugas qui transfugerant ad eum et superfluos vulgi qui remanserant transtulit Nabuzardan magister militum in Babylonem

10 et de plebe pauperum qui nihil penitus habebant dimisit Nabuzardan magister militum in terra Iuda et dedit eis vineas et cisternas in die illa

11 praeceperat autem Nabuchodonosor rex Babylonis de Hieremia Nabuzardan magistro militiae dicens

12 tolle illum et pone super eum oculos tuos nihilque ei mali facias sed ut voluerit sic facies ei

13 misit ergo Nabuzardan princeps militiae et Nabu et Sesban et Rabsares et Neregel et Sereser et Rebmag et omnes optimates regis Babylonis

14 miserunt et tulerunt Hieremiam de vestibulo carceris et tradiderunt eum Godoliae filio Ahicam filii Saphan ut intraret domum et habitaret in populo

15 ad Hieremiam autem factus fuerat sermo Domini cum clausus esset in vestibulo carceris dicens

16 vade et dic Abdemelech Aethiopi dicens haec dicit Dominus exercituum Deus Israhel ecce ego inducam sermones meos super civitatem hanc in malum et non in bonum et erunt in conspectu tuo in die illa

17 et liberabo te in die illa ait Dominus et non traderis in manus virorum quos tu formidas

18 sed eruens liberabo te et gladio non cades sed erit tibi anima tua in salutem quia in me habuisti fiduciam ait Dominus

Jeremiah 39 Commentary

Chapter 39

The taking of Jerusalem. (1-10) Jeremiah used well. (11-14) Promises of safety to Ebed-melech. (15-18)

Verses 1-10 Jerusalem was so strong, that the inhabitants believed the enemy could never enter it. But sin provoked God to withdraw his protection, and then it was as weak as other cities. Zedekiah had his eyes put out; so he was condemned to darkness who had shut his eyes against the clear light of God's word. Those who will not believe God's words, will be convinced by the event. Observe the wonderful changes of Providence, how uncertain are earthly possessions; and see the just dealings of Providence: but whether the Lord makes men poor or rich, nothing will profit them while they cleave to their sins.

Verses 11-14 The servants of God alone are prepared for all events; and they are delivered and comforted, while the wicked suffer. They often meet with more kindness from the profane, than from hypocritical professors of godliness. The Lord will raise them up friends, do them good, and perform all his promises.

Verses 15-18 Here is a message to assure Ebed-melech of a recompence for his great kindness to Jeremiah. Because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord. God recompenses men's services according to their principles. Those who trust God in the way of duty, as this good man did, will find that their hope shall not fail in times of the greatest danger.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 39

This chapter gives an account of the taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, according to the several prophecies of Jeremiah concerning it. The time of taking it, and by whom, after a siege of eighteen months, Jer 39:1-3; several things relating to King Zedekiah; his flight; the taking of him; the bringing him to the king of Babylon, and his sentence on him; the execution of that sentence, slaying his sons and nobles, putting out his eyes, and carrying him in chains to Babylon, Jer 39:4-7; the destruction of the city is described, by burning the houses in it, breaking down its walls, carrying the people captive, all, except a few poor persons left in the land, Jer 39:8-10; the preservation of Jeremiah, according to the king of Babylon's orders by his princes; and the committing him to the care of Gedaliah, the governor of the poor Jews, Jer 39:11-14; and the chapter is concluded with a promise of the protection of Ebedmelech, made by the Lord before the taking of the city, while the prophet was in prison; and which, no doubt, had its accomplishment, Jer 39:15-18.