Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 41:17

"and they departed, and dwelt in Geruth Chimham, which is by Beth-lehem, to go to enter into Egypt," — Jeremiah 41:17 (ASV)

They departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham. —The word translated “habitation” is not found elsewhere, but it is connected with one which means “stranger,” “foreigner,” and means probably a caravanserai, or hospitium for travelers. The name of Chimham directs us to the history of Barzillai in 2 Samuel 19:37. When the Gileadite chief pleaded his age as a reason for not accepting David’s invitation to live at his court, the offer was transferred to his son Chimham. On the king’s deathbed, he was specially commended to the care of Solomon (1 Kings 2:7).

It seems probable that some part of David’s personal patrimony, as distinct from his royal domains, had been bestowed on him, and that he had perpetuated his gratitude by erecting a resting-place for travelers, probably identical with the “inn” of the Nativity (Luke 2:7).

The plan of the fugitives under Johanan took them to Bethlehem, as it lay on the road to Egypt. They hoped to find refuge there, both from the anarchy that Gedaliah’s death had left in the land, and from the severe punishment the Chaldeans were likely to inflict for the murder of the ruler they had appointed, without carefully investigating who was guilty of it. The mere fact of their having remained with Ishmael might be construed as circumstantial evidence of complicity. There they stopped and took counsel.