Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryJeremiah 41

It came to pass. There is no direct statement as to when the events of ch. 41 took place, but in view of the continuous nature of the narrative, it seems reasonable to conclude that they followed immediately the events of ch. 40.

In the seventh month. Approximately two or three months after Jerusalem was taken by the Babylonians (ch. 39:1, 2), if the narrative proceeds uninterruptedly, as it apparently does (see PK 460). Did eat bread together. Ishmael and his ten fellow conspirators paid a visit to Gedaliah, ostensibly on a mission of courteous recognition of Gedaliah’s high office, but in reality intent on murdering Gedaliah and all his adherents.

Men of war. In apposition with “the Chaldeans.” The RSV translates this clause, “and the Chaldean soldiers who happened to be there.”

No man knew it. So efficiently was the massacre carried out that not one escaped to report it.

Certain from Shechem. These 80 men seem to have been on a pilgrimage of mourning to the Temple ruins, perhaps also to observe the Feast of Tabernacles and to present grain offerings and incense at the site of the ancient altar. Their beards shaven. A custom forbidden by the Mosaic law (see Lev. 19:27, 28; Deut. 14:1, 2).

Weeping all along. Treacherously Ishmael meets them as one sharing their grief. The LXX, however, represents the pilgrims as weeping, not Ishmael.

Slew them. The purpose of this atrocious act is not clear. Any one of the following may have been the cause: (1) an ungovernable bitterness of spirit aroused by the presence of these mourners; (2) a suspicion that the willingness of the pilgrims to recognize Gedaliah as the leader appointed by the Babylonians, indicated a traitorous act against Judah; (3) Ishmael’s vindictive retaliation for the slaying of the “princes of Judah” (see ch. 52:10); (4) plunder of the pilgrims’ goods.

Because of Gedaliah. Ishmael had slain these men by the deception of using Gedaliah’s name (v. 6). For fear of Baasha. See 1 Kings 15:16–22; 2 Chron. 16:1–6.

The king’s daughters. Zedekiah’s sons had been killed at Riblah (ch. 39:6). The daughters had been spared and given over to Gedaliah for his protection. In taking them into his custody and protection, Ishmael was claiming to be the ruling representative of the royal house, according to Eastern custom. Ammonites. Since they had been allied with Zedekiah (see on chs. 27:3; 39:5), Ishmael felt he could find safety there. Indeed, ch. 40:14 indicates that their king had “sent Ishmael” to murder Gedaliah.

Johanan. See ch. 40:8, 13, 15.

Great waters. The avenging of these dastardly crimes took place at the large pool in Gibeon, now ej–Jîb, 5 3/4 mi. (9.2 km.) northwest of Jerusalem. Johanan had previously warned of the danger to Gedaliah’s life (ch. 40:13, 14).

They were glad. An indication that Gedaliah had been popular, and that those who had been under his rule rejoiced that the murder was avenged.

With eight men. Evidently two of Ishmael’s “ten men” (v. 1) had been killed in one of the previous encounters (vs. 2, 3, 11, 12). Ammonites. See on v. 10.

Habitation. Heb. geruth, “a lodging place,” that is, an inn for travelers. Chimham. Barzillai the Gileadite had shown kindness to David (2 Sam. 19:31–39), and because of this, David instructed Solomon to treat his son Chimham with every courtesy and care (see on 1 Kings 2:7). Probably Chimham was given this land near

Bethlehem by the Hebrew king as his own, and this accounts for the name of the caravansary.