Jeremiah · Chapter 41

V. 1. Now-Three months after the city was taken. Ishmael-The same Ishmael that came to Gedaliah, ver. 8,9, to whom he sware protection; only here we are told he was of the royal blood, which might both raise his spirits, as having a more legal pretence to the government, and rendered him a fitter instrument, for Baalis the king or queen of the Ammonites to make use of. The princes-Some of the princes, who had escaped the army of the king of Babylon.

Verse 1. Now—in the seventh month] Answering to the first new moon in our month of October.

There they did eat bread together] This was the same as making a solemn covenant; for he who ate bread with another was ever reputed a friend.

Verse 1. Now, in the seventh month — Answering partly to our September, and partly to October; two months after the taking of Jerusalem. The murder of Gedaliah gave occasion to the fasts of the seventh month, which the Jews observed after their return from captivity, Zechariah 7:5, 8, 19. Ishmael the son of Nethaniah — The same Ishmael that came to Gedaliah, Jeremiah 40:8, 9, and to whom he sware protection; of the seed royal — Being of the family of David, he supposed he had a greater right to the government than Gedaliah, and therefore seems to have borne him a grudge: on which account he was the fitter instrument for the king of the Ammonites to make use of; and the princes of the king, even ten men with him — Some of the chief officers of state belonging to Zedekiah. These, undoubtedly, brought a great number of others with them in their retinue, or else they could not have made such a destruction as they did.

Verse 1. In the seventh month, two months after the city had been taken, and the temple burned. Ishmael and his ten companions, who had held high commissions under Zedekiah, were feasted by the governor. What sort of moral masks must their faces have assumed in presence of the hospitable governor, who, while wishing him long life and prosperity, had their detachment ready for assassination.

THE MURDER OF GEDALIAH, 1-10.

1. Seventh month — Gedaliah was in office less than two months. And the princes, etc, — Rather, and of the princes, etc. The language covers simply Ishmael and the ten men with him. Eat bread together — Hospitality on the one side, the basest treachery on the other.

Verse 2. Smote Gedaliah] See the preceding chapter, Jeremiah 40:14.

Ver. 2. And smote Gedaliah. This cut off the hopes of the Jews afresh: heaven would not allow them to be restored in their sins. They afterwards observed this day in the fifth month as a day of fasting and prayer.

2. Had made governor — This was his crime. It was not simply murder, but the slaying of a ruler; striking down not merely a human life but the State in him.

V. 3. Slew-All those who were about the court of Gedaliah.

Verses 3, 4. Ishmael also slew all the Jews and the men of war — That is, all that joined in opposing him, and in assisting Gedaliah: for several of the commanders, as well as the greater part of the people, were still left alive, as appears by the sequel of the story. And on the second day after, &c., no man knew it — That is, no man who lived at any considerable distance from Mizpah, for Ishmael undoubtedly used every means in his power to keep this slaughter secret, lest the news of it should reach the ears of some of the Chaldean commanders, and so he should be prevented from making his escape.

Ver. 3. Ishmael also slew all the Jews—the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war. The governor’s house, it would seem, was isolated from the city, and not a soul in the household was left alive. Still there is an eye that sees, and a conscience that echoes the voice of God.

3. Slew all the Jews — Namely, those in the governor’s palace.

V. 4. No man-No man who lived at any distance from Mizpah.

Verses 3, 4. Ishmael also slew all the Jews and the men of war — That is, all that joined in opposing him, and in assisting Gedaliah: for several of the commanders, as well as the greater part of the people, were still left alive, as appears by the sequel of the story. And on the second day after, &c., no man knew it — That is, no man who lived at any considerable distance from Mizpah, for Ishmael undoubtedly used every means in his power to keep this slaughter secret, lest the news of it should reach the ears of some of the Chaldean commanders, and so he should be prevented from making his escape.

4. No man knew it — “No man” beyond Mizpah.

V. 5. There came men-Who possibly had not heard of the temple being burnt. Cut themselves-With all indications of mourning used in those countries.

Verse 5. Having their beards shaven] All these were signs of deep mourning, probably on account of the destruction of the city.

Verse 5. There came fourscore men, having their beards shaven, &c. — “These were tokens of great mourning, by which these persons expressed their grief for the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. Such expressions of sorrow were forbidden to be used at funeral obsequies, Leviticus 19:27, 28; but might be lawfully used upon other mournful occasions. With offerings and incense to bring them to the house of the Lord — Some understand this as if devout persons brought their oblations to the place where the altar formerly stood, which they looked upon as consecrated ground; a custom, they think, countenanced by the words of Baruch, chap. 1:10, where the exiles at Babylon are supposed to send money to buy offerings for the altar of the Lord, after that Jerusalem was taken and burned. Others by the house of the Lord understand an altar or place of worship erected by Gedaliah at Mizpah; in imitation of that which was formerly set up there by Samuel, which place continued to be a proseucha, or place of worship, in after times, as appears from 1 Mac. 3:46. There were many such sanctuaries or places of worship, both in Judea and elsewhere, among the Jewish dispersions.” — Lowth.

Ver. 5. Fourscore men having their beards shaved. They had cut themselves with knives for the destruction of the temple, a practice forbidden in Leviticus 19:27. They had also collected together to come to the annual fast on the tenth of this month, and brought offerings to the house of the Lord. They probably thought that peace-offerings would now be presented in Mizpah, as had been the case in former times. With offerings and incense. Samuel had offered a sucking lamb in Mizpah, 1 Samuel 7:10, on which account some have thought that Gedaliah had repaired the old altar there. But the Lord, at that time, had not by fire from heaven chosen Jerusalem, after which it was not lawful for any one to offer except in that place. And in Tobit 1:10, we find an altar was erected in Jerusalem in the midst of its ruins.

5. Shechem,… Shiloh,… and Samaria — These places are not named in topographical order. The reason does not appear. It may be on account of rhythm, or it may be that most of the men came from Shechem, and that the other two places are simply mentioned as incidentally connected with the affair. Cut themselves — This practice was strictly forbidden by the law, (Leviticus 19:28; 21:5; Deuteronomy 14:1,) and yet seems to have remained in common use. (Jeremiah 7:29; Isaiah 22:12; Ezekiel 7:18, etc.) These signs of grief had reference to the calamity which had befallen Jerusalem. Offerings and incense — Notwithstanding their violating Jewish law as above, there can be little doubt that they were Jews. Possibly in the region of Samaria. from which they came, heathen practices had been fallen into to an unusual extent.

Verse 6. Weeping all along as he went] This felonious hypocrite pretended that he also was deeply afflicted, and wished to bear them company in their sorrow.

Come to Gedaliah] He will appoint you vineyards and fields.

Verses 6-8. And Ishmael went forth to meet them, weeping all along as he went — As if he sympathized with them, and bewailed, as they did, the desolations of Jerusalem. He appears to have been a complete hypocrite. As he met them he said, Come to Gedaliah — He invites them to the new governor for protection, as if he had been one of his courtiers and friends, and by these arts conceals his bloody design against them. And when they came into the midst of the city — Whence they could not easily escape; Ishmael slew them — Though they had given him no provocation, and indeed, as it seems, were entire strangers to him. And, no doubt, he took the offerings they had brought, and converted them to his own use: for he that did not hesitate to commit such a murder certainly would not scruple to commit sacrilege. And cast them into the midst of the pit — The words, and cast them, are not in the Hebrew, which is literally, slew them in the midst of the pit. So also the LXX., esfaxen autouv eiv to frear. The Complutensian edition, however, supplies kai enebalen, and cast them, which accords with the reading of the Syriac. The Vulgate renders the clause, interfecit eos Ismael circa medium laci: Ishmael slew them about the middle of the lake, or, pool; and Blaney reads, Ishmael massacred them at the pit. He and the men that were with him — Hired, it seems, to assist him in this bloody work. But ten men were found that said, Slay us not, for we have treasures, &c. — He slew seventy of them, but the remaining ten pleading for their lives, and urging that they had estates in the country of corn, oil, and honey, his covetousness prevailed over his cruelty, and he spared their lives, to become master of their property.

6. Weeping all along as he went — Literally, going to go and weep — weeping continually. The idea is well expressed in our version. He simulated grief for the same purpose for which the Indian lies in ambush.

Verse 7. Slew them] He kept the murder of Gedaliah secret, and no doubt had a band of his assassins lodged in Mizpah; and he decoyed these fourscore men thither that he might have strength to slay them. He kept ten alive because they told him they had treasures hidden in a field, which they would show him. Whether he kept his word with them is not recorded. He could do nothing good or great; and it is likely that, when he had possessed himself of those treasures, he served them as he had served their companions. Grain is preserved to the present day in subterranean pits, called mattamores, in different parts of the east.

Verses 6-8. And Ishmael went forth to meet them, weeping all along as he went — As if he sympathized with them, and bewailed, as they did, the desolations of Jerusalem. He appears to have been a complete hypocrite. As he met them he said, Come to Gedaliah — He invites them to the new governor for protection, as if he had been one of his courtiers and friends, and by these arts conceals his bloody design against them. And when they came into the midst of the city — Whence they could not easily escape; Ishmael slew them — Though they had given him no provocation, and indeed, as it seems, were entire strangers to him. And, no doubt, he took the offerings they had brought, and converted them to his own use: for he that did not hesitate to commit such a murder certainly would not scruple to commit sacrilege. And cast them into the midst of the pit — The words, and cast them, are not in the Hebrew, which is literally, slew them in the midst of the pit. So also the LXX., esfaxen autouv eiv to frear. The Complutensian edition, however, supplies kai enebalen, and cast them, which accords with the reading of the Syriac. The Vulgate renders the clause, interfecit eos Ismael circa medium laci: Ishmael slew them about the middle of the lake, or, pool; and Blaney reads, Ishmael massacred them at the pit. He and the men that were with him — Hired, it seems, to assist him in this bloody work. But ten men were found that said, Slay us not, for we have treasures, &c. — He slew seventy of them, but the remaining ten pleading for their lives, and urging that they had estates in the country of corn, oil, and honey, his covetousness prevailed over his cruelty, and he spared their lives, to become master of their property.

7. Slew them… into the midst of the pit — This is a pregnant construction, quite characteristic of the Hebrew. The words inserted by the translators are fully justified, and indeed necessary for the English reader.

V. 8. He forebare-His covetousness prevailed over his cruelty.

Verses 6-8. And Ishmael went forth to meet them, weeping all along as he went — As if he sympathized with them, and bewailed, as they did, the desolations of Jerusalem. He appears to have been a complete hypocrite. As he met them he said, Come to Gedaliah — He invites them to the new governor for protection, as if he had been one of his courtiers and friends, and by these arts conceals his bloody design against them. And when they came into the midst of the city — Whence they could not easily escape; Ishmael slew them — Though they had given him no provocation, and indeed, as it seems, were entire strangers to him. And, no doubt, he took the offerings they had brought, and converted them to his own use: for he that did not hesitate to commit such a murder certainly would not scruple to commit sacrilege. And cast them into the midst of the pit — The words, and cast them, are not in the Hebrew, which is literally, slew them in the midst of the pit. So also the LXX., esfaxen autouv eiv to frear. The Complutensian edition, however, supplies kai enebalen, and cast them, which accords with the reading of the Syriac. The Vulgate renders the clause, interfecit eos Ismael circa medium laci: Ishmael slew them about the middle of the lake, or, pool; and Blaney reads, Ishmael massacred them at the pit. He and the men that were with him — Hired, it seems, to assist him in this bloody work. But ten men were found that said, Slay us not, for we have treasures, &c. — He slew seventy of them, but the remaining ten pleading for their lives, and urging that they had estates in the country of corn, oil, and honey, his covetousness prevailed over his cruelty, and he spared their lives, to become master of their property.

8. Treasures — In Isaiah 45:3, the same original word is translated “hid den riches.” Doubtless at this troublous and dangerous time the practice of concealing the choicest products of the earth in caves or subterranean chambers must have been quite common.

Verse 9. Now the pit—was it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha] See 1 Kings 15:22. Asa made this cistern as a reservoir for water for the supply of the place; for he built and fortified Mizpah at the time that he was at war with Baasha, king of Israel.

Verse 9. Now the pit was it which Asa had made, &c. — The word rwb, here and elsewhere rendered pit, frequently signifies, a cistern, basin, or, reservoir; a large place made for receiving rain-water; which seems to be the meaning of the word here. This pit, or reservoir, Asa, who built and fortified Mizpah, at the time he was at war with Baasha king of Israel, caused to be made in the midst of the city, in order that the people might not be in want of so necessary an article as water in case of a siege. Reservoirs of this kind were much in use in Palestine, as Jerome tells us, in his commentary upon Amos 4:7, 8. And Josephus testifies the advantage of them to the besieged when he tells us that, when Masada was reduced to the greatest distress for want of water, it was relieved by a fall of rain in the night, which filled all the reservoirs, Antiq. lib. 14. cap. 14. Each private family seems also to have had one of these reservoirs for its own use. Drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern, wrwb, his pit, or, reservoir, says Rabshakeh to the people of Jerusalem, Isaiah 36:16.

Ver. 9. The pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies, was the pool which king Asa had dug for water, when he fortified Mizpah against Baasha king of Israel. 1 Kings 15.

9. Now the pit — From verse 7 it would appear probable that this pit was within the city, though this is not quite certain. Probably, then, the meaning here is, that this was simply a cistern of extraordinary size intended to supply water in time of siege. A store of water is as necessary as a fortification. Because of Gedaliah — The words have been variously interpreted. The most satisfactory sense is, by the side of, as in the margin. The reason of this extraordinary double assassination is not very clear. It could hardly be for booty merely, though it would seem that Ishmael was not indifferent to this. His real design was hostile to the Jews, and his object seems to be their ruin and dispersion. The whole affair expresses and illustrates the enmity of the Ammonite king, though the secret of his enmity we may not fully know.

Verse 10. Carried away captive] He took all these that he might sell them for slaves among the Ammonites.

Verses 10-13. Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people — All that he did not slay: see note on verse 3; and among the rest Zedekiah’s daughters, who had been left to the care of Gedaliah, when his sons were slain. These, it seems, being recovered by Johanan, were taken with him into Egypt, where they perished among the other Jews. And Ishmael departed to go over to the Ammonites — Probably intending to make a present of the captives he was taking with him, to Baalis king of Ammon, by whom he had been instigated to the murder of Gedaliah. But when Johanan, and all the captains heard, &c. — It would have been well if Johanan, when he gave information to Gedaliah of Ishmael’s treasonable design, had stayed with him; for he and his captains, and their forces, might have been a life-guard to him, and a terror to Ishmael, and so have prevented the mischief, without the effusion of blood. They took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael — Upon receiving notice of the murders he had committed, and which way he had gone, they pursued him, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon — Called the pool of Gibeon, of which we read 2 Samuel 2:13. Now when all the people which were with Ishmael — Namely, the poor captives whom he was taking into the land of the Ammonites; saw Johanan, &c., they were glad — As they might well be, to see a probability of escaping out of the hands of the bloody man who had slain so many of their brethren: and they presently found an opportunity to wheel about, and come over to Johanan and his captains, Ishmael not attempting to detain them, but readily quitting his prey to save his life.

10. King’s daughters — Not only those who were really such, but all the younger female members of the royal household.

Verses 10-13. Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people — All that he did not slay: see note on verse 3; and among the rest Zedekiah’s daughters, who had been left to the care of Gedaliah, when his sons were slain. These, it seems, being recovered by Johanan, were taken with him into Egypt, where they perished among the other Jews. And Ishmael departed to go over to the Ammonites — Probably intending to make a present of the captives he was taking with him, to Baalis king of Ammon, by whom he had been instigated to the murder of Gedaliah. But when Johanan, and all the captains heard, &c. — It would have been well if Johanan, when he gave information to Gedaliah of Ishmael’s treasonable design, had stayed with him; for he and his captains, and their forces, might have been a life-guard to him, and a terror to Ishmael, and so have prevented the mischief, without the effusion of blood. They took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael — Upon receiving notice of the murders he had committed, and which way he had gone, they pursued him, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon — Called the pool of Gibeon, of which we read 2 Samuel 2:13. Now when all the people which were with Ishmael — Namely, the poor captives whom he was taking into the land of the Ammonites; saw Johanan, &c., they were glad — As they might well be, to see a probability of escaping out of the hands of the bloody man who had slain so many of their brethren: and they presently found an opportunity to wheel about, and come over to Johanan and his captains, Ishmael not attempting to detain them, but readily quitting his prey to save his life.

Ver. 11, 12. Johanan—and all the captains went to fight with Ishmael, who escaped, and left all the captives behind. But cowardice, and innocent blood pursued him, and he was to die like Cain, never more to enjoy repose.

JOHANAN’S EXPEDITION TO AVENGE GEDALIAH’S DEATH, 11-18.

11. Johanan — The friend of Gedaliah, who had warned him of this plot.

Verses 10-13. Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people — All that he did not slay: see note on verse 3; and among the rest Zedekiah’s daughters, who had been left to the care of Gedaliah, when his sons were slain. These, it seems, being recovered by Johanan, were taken with him into Egypt, where they perished among the other Jews. And Ishmael departed to go over to the Ammonites — Probably intending to make a present of the captives he was taking with him, to Baalis king of Ammon, by whom he had been instigated to the murder of Gedaliah. But when Johanan, and all the captains heard, &c. — It would have been well if Johanan, when he gave information to Gedaliah of Ishmael’s treasonable design, had stayed with him; for he and his captains, and their forces, might have been a life-guard to him, and a terror to Ishmael, and so have prevented the mischief, without the effusion of blood. They took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael — Upon receiving notice of the murders he had committed, and which way he had gone, they pursued him, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon — Called the pool of Gibeon, of which we read 2 Samuel 2:13. Now when all the people which were with Ishmael — Namely, the poor captives whom he was taking into the land of the Ammonites; saw Johanan, &c., they were glad — As they might well be, to see a probability of escaping out of the hands of the bloody man who had slain so many of their brethren: and they presently found an opportunity to wheel about, and come over to Johanan and his captains, Ishmael not attempting to detain them, but readily quitting his prey to save his life.

Ver. 11, 12. Johanan—and all the captains went to fight with Ishmael, who escaped, and left all the captives behind. But cowardice, and innocent blood pursued him, and he was to die like Cain, never more to enjoy repose.

12. The great waters that are in Gibeon — Probably a reservoir or pool. Robinson describes such a pool still existing there fed by a natural spring. Gibeon is about two miles north of Mizpah, and was one of the sacerdotal cities of Benjamin.

Verses 10-13. Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people — All that he did not slay: see note on verse 3; and among the rest Zedekiah’s daughters, who had been left to the care of Gedaliah, when his sons were slain. These, it seems, being recovered by Johanan, were taken with him into Egypt, where they perished among the other Jews. And Ishmael departed to go over to the Ammonites — Probably intending to make a present of the captives he was taking with him, to Baalis king of Ammon, by whom he had been instigated to the murder of Gedaliah. But when Johanan, and all the captains heard, &c. — It would have been well if Johanan, when he gave information to Gedaliah of Ishmael’s treasonable design, had stayed with him; for he and his captains, and their forces, might have been a life-guard to him, and a terror to Ishmael, and so have prevented the mischief, without the effusion of blood. They took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael — Upon receiving notice of the murders he had committed, and which way he had gone, they pursued him, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon — Called the pool of Gibeon, of which we read 2 Samuel 2:13. Now when all the people which were with Ishmael — Namely, the poor captives whom he was taking into the land of the Ammonites; saw Johanan, &c., they were glad — As they might well be, to see a probability of escaping out of the hands of the bloody man who had slain so many of their brethren: and they presently found an opportunity to wheel about, and come over to Johanan and his captains, Ishmael not attempting to detain them, but readily quitting his prey to save his life.

JOHANAN’S EXPEDITION TO AVENGE GEDALIAH’S DEATH, 11-18.

11. Johanan — The friend of Gedaliah, who had warned him of this plot.

Verse 14. Went unto Johanan] They were weary of the tyranny of Ishmael, and were glad of an opportunity to abandon him.

14. Cast about — Turned around.

Ver. 15. Ishmael escaped with eight men. He escaped to harden the Ammonites, as was the case in Jerusalem, to rebel against the Chaldeans, and in four years more to be all involved in flames. Jeremiah 49:2. “Nebuchadnezzar in the twenty third year of his reign subdued the Moabites, the Ammonites, and invaded Egypt.”—Antiq. of the Jews, book

10. chap. 11.

JOHANAN’S EXPEDITION TO AVENGE GEDALIAH’S DEATH, 11-18.

11. Johanan — The friend of Gedaliah, who had warned him of this plot.

Verse 16. The women,—children, and the eunuchs] These were all most probably, persons who belonged to the palace and harem of Zedekiah: some of them his own concubines and their children.

Verses 16-18. Then took Johanan and the captains, all the remnant of the people, &c. — It would have been a happy thing, if Johanan, when he had rescued the captives, would have sat quietly down with them, in the land of Judah, and governed them peaceably as Gedaliah did; but, instead of that, he is for leading them into the land of Egypt, as Ishmael would have led them into the land of the Ammonites; so that, though he got the command of them in a better way than Ishmael did, yet he did not use it much better. Gedaliah, who was of a meek and quiet spirit, was a great blessing to them; but Johanan, who was of a fierce and restless disposition, seems to have been permitted to get the command of them for their hurt, and to complete their ruin, even after they were, as they thought, redeemed. Thus did God still walk contrary to them, and thus did evil still pursue this sinful people. And they departed and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham — The same parcel of ground, probably, that David gave to Chimham, the son of Barzillai: see 2 Samuel 19:38-40. Here Johanan made his headquarters, steering his course toward Egypt, either from a personal affection to that country, or an ancient national confidence in the Egyptians for help in distress. Because of the Chaldeans — As the person, whom

Nebuchadnezzar had made governor in the land, was slain, it was not unreasonable for them to think that Nebuchadnezzar would consider the murder of him as an affront done to himself; and though Johanan had no hand in that villanous act, yet he did not know but the king of Babylon, being unacquainted with all the parties among the Jews, might look upon all that remained in the country as guilty, and might revenge the murder of his deputy governor upon them all. He therefore chooses for them a habitation, from whence they might, in a short time, go down into Egypt, which was Johanan’s design, as we shall read in the next chapter.

16. Mighty men of war — In ver. 3 it is related that Ishmael “slew… the men of war.” That must refer to those who were about the person of Gedaliah; this, to other soldiers Johanan had been able to make prisoners. Among the eunuchs who are here mentioned, probably, may have been Ebed-melech.

Verse 17. Dwelt in the habitation of Chimham] The estate that David gave Chimham, the son of Barzillai. See 2 Samuel 19:37, &c. He took this merely as a resting-place; as he designed to carry all into Egypt, fearing the Chaldeans, who would endeavour to revenge the death of Gedaliah. JEREMIAH

Verses 16-18. Then took Johanan and the captains, all the remnant of the people, &c. — It would have been a happy thing, if Johanan, when he had rescued the captives, would have sat quietly down with them, in the land of Judah, and governed them peaceably as Gedaliah did; but, instead of that, he is for leading them into the land of Egypt, as Ishmael would have led them into the land of the Ammonites; so that, though he got the command of them in a better way than Ishmael did, yet he did not use it much better. Gedaliah, who was of a meek and quiet spirit, was a great blessing to them; but Johanan, who was of a fierce and restless disposition, seems to have been permitted to get the command of them for their hurt, and to complete their ruin, even after they were, as they thought, redeemed. Thus did God still walk contrary to them, and thus did evil still pursue this sinful people. And they departed and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham — The same parcel of ground, probably, that David gave to Chimham, the son of Barzillai: see 2 Samuel 19:38-40. Here Johanan made his headquarters, steering his course toward Egypt, either from a personal affection to that country, or an ancient national confidence in the Egyptians for help in distress. Because of the Chaldeans — As the person, whom

Nebuchadnezzar had made governor in the land, was slain, it was not unreasonable for them to think that Nebuchadnezzar would consider the murder of him as an affront done to himself; and though Johanan had no hand in that villanous act, yet he did not know but the king of Babylon, being unacquainted with all the parties among the Jews, might look upon all that remained in the country as guilty, and might revenge the murder of his deputy governor upon them all. He therefore chooses for them a habitation, from whence they might, in a short time, go down into Egypt, which was Johanan’s design, as we shall read in the next chapter.

Ver. 17. Dwelt in Chimham, a hamlet undestroyed, which David had given to Chimham, son of Barzillai. 2 Samuel 19:36, 37. Johanan feared that the Chaldeans, mistaking his case, would destroy him, and the men of war who were with him.

17. Departed, and dwelt — Temporarily, until ready for a journey into Egypt. Habitation of Chimham — The inn of Chimham. The word translated “habitation” occurs nowhere else, but etymologically has the meaning of inn. Chimham was the founder of it. See 2 Samuel 19:38, 40.

Verses 16-18. Then took Johanan and the captains, all the remnant of the people, &c. — It would have been a happy thing, if Johanan, when he had rescued the captives, would have sat quietly down with them, in the land of Judah, and governed them peaceably as Gedaliah did; but, instead of that, he is for leading them into the land of Egypt, as Ishmael would have led them into the land of the Ammonites; so that, though he got the command of them in a better way than Ishmael did, yet he did not use it much better. Gedaliah, who was of a meek and quiet spirit, was a great blessing to them; but Johanan, who was of a fierce and restless disposition, seems to have been permitted to get the command of them for their hurt, and to complete their ruin, even after they were, as they thought, redeemed. Thus did God still walk contrary to them, and thus did evil still pursue this sinful people. And they departed and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham — The same parcel of ground, probably, that David gave to Chimham, the son of Barzillai: see 2 Samuel 19:38-40. Here Johanan made his headquarters, steering his course toward Egypt, either from a personal affection to that country, or an ancient national confidence in the Egyptians for help in distress. Because of the Chaldeans — As the person, whom

Nebuchadnezzar had made governor in the land, was slain, it was not unreasonable for them to think that Nebuchadnezzar would consider the murder of him as an affront done to himself; and though Johanan had no hand in that villanous act, yet he did not know but the king of Babylon, being unacquainted with all the parties among the Jews, might look upon all that remained in the country as guilty, and might revenge the murder of his deputy governor upon them all. He therefore chooses for them a habitation, from whence they might, in a short time, go down into Egypt, which was Johanan’s design, as we shall read in the next chapter.

JOHANAN’S EXPEDITION TO AVENGE GEDALIAH’S DEATH, 11-18.

11. Johanan — The friend of Gedaliah, who had warned him of this plot.