John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 41:11-12

"But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done, then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon." — Jeremiah 41:11-12 (ASV)

Here the Prophet informs us that Ishmael did not attain his wishes, for he had resolved to sell, as it were, the people to the king of Ammon, but he was intercepted in his course. But he says first that John the son of Kareah had heard the report, and that he, together with other leaders, went to meet him to intercept him in his journey.

He also says that he collected all the men, even those who had been dispersed. All they could gather, they enlisted and went to fight with Ishmael. And the Prophet adds that they found him at the great waters.

I think they were so called because they were either a lake or a pool. I do not doubt, then, that it was a common name. Some say that the waters were then abundant because there had been constant rains, but this conjecture is not probable.

The simpler meaning is that these waters were thus called because in that part the abundance of water was not great in comparison with the lake. Ishmael then was found there.

It is now added by the Prophet that the captives rejoiced when they saw John and immediately came over to his side. He therefore says, —