Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryJeremiah 39

Jerusalem TakenThis section describes the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians. Jeremiah had warned the people and leaders many times, but they did not listen. Now, everything happened just as God had said. The city was captured, the king was punished, and the people were taken away. Only a few poor people were left behind. This was a sad but important moment in the history of God’s people.v. 1–2: The Babylonian army began to attack Jerusalem in the ninth year of King Zedekiah, during the tenth month. The siege lasted until the eleventh year, in the fourth month, when the Babylonians finally broke into the city. The people inside were weak from hunger and could not fight back (Jeremiah 39:1–2 ). Jerusalem was once strong, but when God stopped protecting it, it fell easily (Lamentations 4:12 ).

v. 3: The Babylonian princes took their places at the middle gate of the city. These leaders had foreign names, showing how things had changed. Where Israel’s leaders once sat, now the rulers of Babylon were in charge. This fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecy that the kings of the north would set their thrones at the gates of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 1:15 ).

v. 4–5: When King Zedekiah saw that the Babylonians had entered the city, he tried to escape at night with his soldiers. But he was caught in the plains of Jericho and taken to the king of Babylon at Riblah. There, he was judged as a rebel. Zedekiah’s attempt to run away failed, just as Jeremiah had warned (Jeremiah 38:23 ).

v. 6–7: The king of Babylon killed Zedekiah’s sons in front of him and also killed the nobles of Judah. Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and put him in chains to take him to Babylon. This was a terrible punishment for Zedekiah, who had refused to listen to God’s word (Psalm 82:5; 2 Kings 25:4 ).

v. 8: Later, the Babylonians burned Jerusalem, including the temple, the palace, and the city walls. This destruction could have been avoided if the people and their king had listened to God’s warnings.

v. 9: Most of the people who were left in the city were taken as captives to Babylon. They had to leave their homes and land behind and become servants in a foreign country. Only a few poor people were left, because they had nothing to lose and did not resist the Babylonians.

v. 10: The captain of the guard let the poor people stay in the land and even gave them vineyards and fields. This was a big change—those who once had nothing now received land, while the rich and powerful were taken away. God’s justice was shown, rewarding the patient and humble, and punishing the proud and cruel (1 Samuel 2:5 ).

Jerusalem ReleasedThis section describes how God showed mercy even during the destruction of Jerusalem. While there had been judgment and suffering, now there is also kindness and protection for those who trusted in the Lord

v. 15–18: God also sent a special message to Ebed-melech, the man who had helped Jeremiah. Jeremiah told Ebed-melech that, although Jerusalem would be destroyed as God had warned (Jeremiah 39:16 ), he would be kept safe. God noticed both Ebed-melech’s fears and his acts of courage. God promised, “I will deliver thee…because thou hast put thy trust in me” (Jeremiah 39:18 ). Ebed-melech risked his position to help God’s prophet, and God rewarded his faith. This shows that when we trust God and do what is right, even in dangerous times, He sees and will protect us.