John Gill Commentary Jeremiah 26:21

"and when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty-men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Uriah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt:" — Jeremiah 26:21 (ASV)

And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men Either his courtiers, or his soldiers, or both: and all the princes, heard his words the words of the Prophet Urijah; not with their own ears very probably, but from the report of others.

the king sought to put him to death as being a messenger of bad tidings, tending to dispirit his subjects, and allay the joy of his own mind upon his advancement to the throne.

but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt which some understand as a piece of prudence in him; but rather it was the effect of pusillanimity and cowardice: it seems to show want of faith and confidence in the Lord; and the fear of man, which brings a snare; and besides, it was no piece of prudence to go to Egypt, whatever it was to flee; since there was such an alliance between the kings of Egypt and Judah; and the latter, though dependent on the former, yet the king of Egypt would easily gratify him in delivering up a subject of his, and a person of such a character.