Jeremiah 40

7–12 These verses record the appointment of Gedaliah son of Ahikam¹¹⁵ as governor of Judah (see 2 Kings 25:22–24); his appointment gave encouragement to the Jewish remnant remaining in the land (verses 7–9). Even Jews from neighboring countries such as Moab, Ammon and Edom came back to Judah to live under Gedaliah’s leadership (verses 11–12).

13–16 Then an officer named Johanan learned of a plot against Gedaliah’s life, and offered to kill the suspected assassin, Ishmael (verse 15). Gedaliah, however, naively believed in Ishmael’s integrity, and opposed killing him (verse 16); this decision would cost Gedaliah his life (Jeremiah 41:1–3).