Charles Spurgeon Commentary Jeremiah 1:1-3

"The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: to whom the word of Jehovah came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month." — Jeremiah 1:1-3 (ASV)

Jeremiah was a young man when he was called to the prophetic office; and he was sent by God, as a young prophet, to help the young king, Josiah. His public life, therefore, began somewhat happily. But, after the death of Josiah, wicked kings sat on the throne, and it was the painful lot, and yet in some respects the choice privilege, of this weeping prophet to be sent on his Master's errand, time after time, to a disobedient and defiant people, who repaid him with only evil while he sought their good.

The Holy Spirit, you see, is careful to note important dates in the history of God's servants; and you and I also should keep a record of the times when God sets us to work, and when He gives us special grace for the service to which He has called us.