MPV Commentary

4. The city was breached, as we are informed elsewhere, in a part of the wall belonging to the lower city (2Ch 32:5; 33:14).

The men of war fled by night through the gate between two walls, which is near the king's garden. This gate led out of the city and into the valley of Jordan, about five hours' distance from Jerusalem.

6-7. They took the king and brought him to Riblah. Nebuchadnezzar had left his generals in charge of the siege while he went to oppose Pharaoh-hophra's forces (2Ki 23:33). He himself was stationed at Riblah in the land of Hamath.

They gave judgment on Zedekiah, condemning him for violating his oath and neglecting the announcement of God's will as made known through Jeremiah (compare Jer 32:5; 34:2; 38:17). His sons and the nobles who joined him in flight were slain before his eyes. In accordance with Eastern customs, which considered a blind man unfit to rule, Zedekiah's eyes were put out, and he was imprisoned in Babylon (Jer 52:11).

8-18. On the seventh day of the month, Nebuzar-adan arrived in Jerusalem. His office as captain of the guard called him to execute justice on those who had committed crimes; hence, although not involved in the siege, Nebuzar-adan was sent to raze the city, plunder the temple, and transport its inhabitants to Babylon (compare Jer 39:13). The most prominent individuals were taken to Riblah and executed for their roles in the rebellion or for other reasons.

Among those executed were Seraiah, the high priest, and his deputy, a priest of the second order (Jer 21:2; 29:25, 29; 37:3).

18. The three keepers of the door were not mere porters but officers of high trust among the Levites (2Ki 22:4; 1Ch 9:26).

19. Five men from the king's presence were also taken captive.

22-26. Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah as ruler over those who remained in Judea, including a few court attendants and others too insignificant to be removed (Jer 40:7). Gedaliah was Jeremiah's friend and had fled from Jerusalem with the prophet's counsel (Jer 38:2, 17).

Many of the fugitive Jews and soldiers who had accompanied Zediah in his flight returned to their homes and flocked around Gedaliah. He counseled them to submit to Babylonian rule and promised them security on oath that they would retain their possessions and enjoy the produce of their land (Jer 40:9).

25. Ishmael, a member of the royal family, came with ten men and murdered Gedaliah in his own house (Jer 41:1). He had found refuge with Baalis, king of the Ammonites.

26. As a result of this murder, all the people fled to Egypt, despite Jeremiah's warnings against it (Jer 43:7, 8).

27. The seventh month of the thirty-seventh year of Jehoiachin's captivity corresponds to the year of Nebuchadnezzar's death and his son Evil-merodach's ascension to the throne.

Evil-merodach showed kindness to Jehoiachin by giving him liberty upon parole, possibly due to a familiar acquaintance formed in prison (Da 4:32, 33). This act of mercy is attributed to God's overruling providence and love for the house of David (2Sa 7:14, 15).

29. Jehoiachin was granted a seat at the royal table on special occasions and had a regular provision provided for his maintenance in exile.