Commentary on Prov Ecc SoS Isa Jer Lam Eze Dan, Jeremiah · Chapter 39
CHAP. XXXIX.
Ver. 1. IN the ninth year of Zedekiah] See on 2 King. 25.1.
Came Nebuchadnezzar] He came to the ſeige in perſon: but ſoon after retired himſelf to Ribbah, i e. to Antiochia in Syria, there to take his pleaſure, and there hence to ſend ſupplyes to his forces, as need required.
Ver. 2. And in the eleventh year] See on 2 King. 25.2. the ſacking of Jeruſalem fell out foure hundred and ſeventy years after the building of the Temple, in the fourty ſeventh Olympiad: and when Tarquinius Priſcus was King of Rome.
The C…ty was broken up] See on 2 King. 25 4.
Ver. 3. In the middle gate] Called the ſecond gate, Zeph. 2.10. See chap. 1.15. Jeremy lived to ſee ſundry of his propheſies fulfilled. Jeruſalem was taken in or about the fortieth year of his propheſying: as it was afterwards by the Romans, in or about the fortieth year after our Saviours Aſcenſion.
Even Nergal, Sharezar, Shamgar-Nebo] Here we have a liſt of the Babylonian Princes, who firſt brake into the City. Their names are harſh and barbarous (ſuch as are now to our eares the Turkiſh Baſhaws, Beglerbegs, Sanzacks, &c.) but good enough for ſuch to hear, as would not yeeld to the ſweet name and counſel of a gracious God. Thoſe names that have Sar or Rab in them, are deemed to be names of office; as Sarezer Maſter of the treaſures, Rabinag Maſter of the Magicians, &c.
Ver. 4. When Zedekiah the King ſaw them] Not entred, but ready to enter. See 2 King. 25.4.
He went out the way of the plain] Intending, likely for Egypt: but his journey was ſhortened. So was Muliaſſes King of Tunis, when flying from his ſon Amidas, he was diſcovered by the ſweet perfumes he had about him; and being brought back, had Zedekiah like, his eyes put out, with a burning hot iron.
Ver. 5. But the Chaldaeans purſued] See on 2 King. 25.5.
Ver. 6. See on 2 King. 25.6, 7.
Ver. 7. See on 2 King. 25.7.
Ver. 8. See on 2 King. 25.8.
Ver. 9. See on 2 King. 25.11, 12.
Ver. 10. See on 2 King. 25.11, 12. Sic vides miras rerum vices. See what a wonderful turn of things was here on the ſudden: and how that of Seneca was here made good, Ʋna dies interest inter magnam civitatem & nullam, there is but a dayes difference ſometimes betwixt a great City, and no City. Joſephus and ſome others ſay, that the Rechabites, as men peaceable and given much to contemplation, were alſo left in the land. This deſtruction of Jeruſalem was, ſaith Oecolampadius, a kind of type of the general judgement. For like as in Jeruſalem the wicked periſhed, but the poor and peaceable were not only ſpared but enriched, ſo ſhall it be at that day.
Ver. 11. Now Nebuchadrezzar—gave charge, &c.] He had heard of Jeremy and his preaching, by thoſe Jews that by the Prophets perſwaſion ſell to the Chaldees: and now that promiſe took place, chap. 15.11. I will cauſe the enemy to entreat thee well: — Tandem bona cauſa triumphat.
Ver. 12. Take him, and look well to him] A wicked man, we ſee, may be loving and liberal to a godly Miniſter for ſelf-ends. Let no man therefore reſt in it alone, as a ſure ſign of an honeſt man.
Ver. 13. So Nebuzaradan, &c.] Theſe, who before were ſo active in deſtroying the City, are now no leſſe active in honouring the good Prophet. All things work together for good to the godly: their greateſt enemies ſhall one day do them honour.
Ver: 14. They ſent and took Jeremiah] But why did they not alſo looſe him from his bonds? chap. 40.1.
And committed him unto Gedaliah] Who being a chieftain among the Jews, fell to the Chaldees (as it may ſeem) before the City was taken, according to Jeremy's counſel: and is now ſet over the land, and hath the Prophet Jeremiah committed to his care.
The ſon of Ahikam] Who had reſcued the Prophet, chap. 26.24. See the Note there.
Ver. 15. Now the Word of the Lord] Which is never bound, 2 Tim. 2.9. but tunneth and is glorified, 2 Theſ. 3.1.
Ver. 16. Go and speak unto Ebedmelech the Ethiopian] Who yet was an Iſraelite indeed by his faith and religion; as was likewiſe Jether the Iſhmaelite, 1 Chron. 7.17. with 2 Sam. 17.25.
Thus ſaith the Lord of hoſts] Who will not fail to give unto him who ſheweth kindneſſe to any Prophet of his, a Prophets reward, Mat. 10.
Behold I will bring my words upon this City for evil] See chap. 21.16. and 44.27.
And they ſhall be accompliſhed in that day before thee] Thou ſhalt ſee it, but ſhalt ſurvive it. And this prophecy may be unto us inſtead of a moſt certain hiſtory.
Ver. 17. But I will deliver thee in that day] From the ſword, the famine and the peſtilence: a thouſand ſhall fall at thy ſide, and ten thouſand at thy right-hand, but it ſhall not come nigh thee:Pſal. 91.7, 8. Val. Max. only with thine eyes ſhalt thou behold and ſee the reward of the wicked: and that the Lord is ſure though ſlow, tarditatem ſupplicii gravitate compenſans.
And thou ſhalt not be delivered into the hands of thoſe men] Zedekiah's Courtiers who do bear thee an aking tooth for thy kindneſſe to my Prophet, and have vowed revenge.
Ver. 18. For I will ſurely deliver thee] Heb. delivering deliver thee. It would be a great ſtay of mind if God ſhould ſay the ſame to us in particular and by name, as he doth here to this Ethiopian: And yet he ſaith no leſſe to us in the precious promiſes, which we are by faith to appropriate.
But thy life ſhall be for a prey unto thee] Pro lucro ceſſura eſt: for ſaving my Prophets life, thou ſhall have thine own: ſo ſure a gain is godlineſſe.
Becauſe thou haſt put thy truſt in me] What may not faith have at Gods hands? Thoſe that truſt him, do, after a ſort, engage him to deliver them, and to doe them good.