Ishmael

Ishmael, the son of Nethaniah, was a member of the royal family of Judah (2Ki.25.25). After the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and appointed Gedaliah as governor over the remnant, Ishmael and other army officers came to Gedaliah at Mizpah (2Ki.25.23; Jer.40.8).

Despite being warned of Ishmael's treacherous intentions (Jer.40.13-16), Gedaliah welcomed him. However, Ishmael, acting under the orders of Baalis, king of the Ammonites, assassinated Gedaliah and his men (2Ki.25.25; Jer.41.1-3).

Ishmael then led captives, including the king's daughters, from Mizpah toward Ammon (Jer.41.10). When Johanan and the other leaders heard of Ishmael's actions, they pursued him. Ishmael's captives were rescued, but he escaped to the Ammonites with eight men (Jer.41.11-15).

Ishmael's treachery further devastated the remnant of Judah after the Babylonian conquest. His actions led the survivors to flee to Egypt out of fear of Babylonian reprisals (Jer.41.16-18), directly disobeying God's command through Jeremiah (Jer.42-43).