Book of JEREMIAH

Compiled by WD Kemner March 2024

 

 

 

Chapter 39

Fall of Jerusalem

 

 

This is Jeremiah’s account of the day the city of Jerusalem happened.  It is a direct account of the events as are chronicled in 2 Kings chapter 25 with a few minor additions.  One or the other passage may have been taken directly from the other.  Jeremiah was a first-person witness, inside observer, of all the dialog and events and ideal for documenting it.

 

 

Jeremiah 39:1-3

 

In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.

 

And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.

 

 

 

Verse 3 names are not recounted in 2Kings 25:1-3 account.

 

 

Jeremiah 39:4-7

 

And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain. But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.

 

Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah. Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.

 

 

 

2Kings 25:4-7

 

 

Jeremiah 39:8-10

 

And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem. Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.

 

But Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

 

 

 

2Kings 25:8-12

 

 

Jeremiah 39:11-14

 

Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard, saying, Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee. So Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rab-saris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;

 

Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.

 

 

 

This is not recounted in the Book of Kings.

 

As promised by God in Jeremiah Chapter 15.  He was to remain a spiritual guide to the people left in the land. The next chapter Jeremiah 40:1-6 contains more of the dialog between the Captain and Jeremiah.

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2Kings 25:22-25 Is a brief account of the story of Gedaliah to finish the chronicles of the kings.  He was not royal blood.  Babylonians appointed him a Governor or ruler over the people who were left. He had spoken out against King Zedekiah regarding rebellion. He is killed by his own people.

 

These events will be expounded upon by Jeremiah in the following chapter.

 

 

Jeremiah 39:15-18

 

Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

 

Go and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.

 

But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.

 

 

 

This message came to Jeremiah while yet in prison before being released by Babylonians.

 

This is the Ethiopian Eunuch from chapter 38 that had saved the life of Jeremiah.  God ALWAYS rewards those that make a stand for Him and His Prophets.