Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 41
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 41
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 41
"Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal and [one of] the chief officers of the king, and ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah." — Jeremiah 41:1 (ASV)
The seventh month – Gedaliah’s government lasted less than two months.
Even – Rather, and. Ishmael was probably descended from Elishama, the son of David (2 Samuel 5:16). Ten grandees, each with his retinue, would have aroused suspicion, but the smallness of Ishmael’s following put Gedaliah completely off his guard.
"that there came men from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with meal-offerings and frankincense in their hand, to bring them to the house of Jehovah." — Jeremiah 41:5 (ASV)
These three towns were all located in the tribe of Ephraim and in the district settled by Shalmaneser with Cuthites. Although the fact that these men had cut themselves (see the note on Jeremiah 16:6) is suspicious, they were probably pious Israelites. They were going up to Jerusalem, carrying the meat offering customary at the Feast of Tabernacles, since this was its season, and mourning over the destruction, not of the city, but of the temple, to whose repairs we find members of this tribe contributing in Josiah’s time (2 Chronicles 34:9).
"And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam." — Jeremiah 41:6 (ASV)
Ishmael’s conduct seems to have been dictated by the malicious desire utterly to frustrate Gedaliah’s work.
Weeping - By this artifice he lured them into Mizpah. The Septuagint: as they were ... weeping.
"And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, [and cast them] into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him." — Jeremiah 41:7 (ASV)
The pit — the cistern, and in Jeremiah 41:9.
"But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not; for we have stores hidden in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren." — Jeremiah 41:8 (ASV)
Treasures - Hidden stores, which would be of great value to Ishmael in his retreat back to Baalis.
Jump to: