Jeremiah 38

The princes had some more time to think about what Jeremiah had said about those left in Jerusalem who would be subject to death by the sword, famine, and pestilence, and frankly, they were not amused. They asked permission of Zedekiah to kill Jeremiah, blaming his message for the break down in morale of the remaining soldiers, and as if that would change the prophecy. I suppose they were into silencing truth, or what we call today: censorship of "misinformation." (See, nothing new under the sun.)

Zedekiah told them to do what they like, and he wouldn't stop them. Therefore, they put Jeremiah in the dungeon, which would lead to his inevitable death. 

But the Lord provided Jeremiah with an advocate, a friend, and he (a eunuch), pleaded for Jeremiah's life, and the king rescinded and told him to remove Jeremiah from the dungeon. Instead, Jeremiah was to stay in the court's prison, which was a better place to be.

Then Zedekiah asked to speak with Jeremiah again, and Jeremiah repeated God's word to surrender to the king of Babylon because it would be well for Zedekiah and his household. But if they did not surrender, all of the women and children in Zedekiah's household would go to the king of Babylon.

Lastly, Zedekiah asked that Jeremiah not divulge any of the details of their conversation with the princes when they confronted him, which Jeremiah did not share the details. 

COMMENTARY

As offensive as Zedekiah was towards God, Jeremiah still pleaded with the king to obey God's word. He begged him to save his life by surrendering to the king of Babylon. But Zedekiah was a typical politician in that he was a coward and wanted to be everything to everybody, which is not possible. He wanted to please everyone; but the only One he should please was the LORD.

credit: Medium Daily Devotion