Thomas Aquinas Commentary Jeremiah 40:7-12

"Now when all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poorest of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon; then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, [to wit], Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men. And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you. As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah, to stand before the Chaldeans that shall come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine and summer fruits and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken. Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the children of Ammon, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan; then all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much." — Jeremiah 40:7-12 (ASV)

This passage describes the assembly of the princes.

1. Their gathering is described: and when all the captains of the army had heard... there came to Gedaliah. As Scripture says, A foolish king will destroy his people, but cities will be inhabited through the good sense of the prudent .
2. The assurance given to those who gathered is mentioned: and Gedaliah swore to them... do not fear. As the apostle Peter writes, Servants, be submissive with all fear to your masters, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unreasonable (1 Peter 2:18).
3. He shows the basis for their security with the words, behold, I...; it is as if he were saying, “I bear the entire burden so that you may be at peace.” We are foolish because of Christ, but you are wise in Christ (1 Corinthians 4:10). Surely, he has borne our infirmities, and has himself carried our griefs (Isaiah 53:4). A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep (John 10:11).

Furthermore, concerning the words, Moreover, when all the Jews who were in Moab..., this describes the gathering of the people. As the Psalm says, He has gathered the exiles of Israel (Psalms 146:2).