Jer. 40 Jeremiah, being set free by Nebuchadnezzar, goeth to Gedaliah, Jer. 40:1–6, to whom the remaining Jews repair, Jer. 40:7–12. Johanan revealing Ishmael’s conspiracy, is not believed, Jer. 40:13–16.

These words refer to the forty-second chapter, where begins the revelation which Jeremiah had from God, for all this chapter and the next are no prophecy, but only an historical narration of some passages after the taking of the city, and so cannot be called a prophecy, but are a piece of history…

This pagan commander could see that which the blind Jews would not understand: they said, Wherefore is this great evil come upon us? Nebuzar-adan knew wherefore, and gives God the glory of his master’s victory, as also of his own faithfulness, saying God had but done what he said, brought the evil…

Nebuzar-adan, like a faithful servant, remembers his master’s orders to him about the prophet, Jer. 39:11, and offers Jeremiah greater favour than to any others of his prisoners; he determined others by his right of conquest to what they should do, but he giveth the prophet a liberty to choose…

While he was not yet gone back: it is not much material whether we interpret the he here mentioned of Jeremiah or Gedaliah. If we interpret it of Jeremiah, the sense is, that before Jeremiah was gone out of the presence of Nebuzar-adan, he, either by his silence, or by some declaration of his mind…

Mizpah was built by Asa, 1 Kings 15:22, or rather enlarged or further built, for we read of it as a city belonging to the tribe of Benjamin, Josh. 18:26.

It is most likely that these captains with their forces were no newly raised and formed companies; for to what purpose should that be when their city and whole country was lost? but some commanders of parties, which either were within the city till it was taken, and then escaped out, or were about…

They might reasonably suspect that the Chaldeans would have a jealous eye upon any conflux of people to Jerusalem, especially military men, and therefore be something suspicious of him who was the Chaldean deputy governor; the securing of them from fears on this account was the cause of this…

That is, I have made choice of Mizpah, a city upon the frontiers, where I intend to make my residence, it being a convenient place for me to receive orders from the king of Babylon, and to manage state matters.

Probably upon the king of Babylon’s first invading Judah many fled, and more as he went on in his conquests, overrunning the country, and it is likely at the taking of the city many escaped, and fled into several countries as they had opportunity, or judged this or that country would be safest;…

They had been with him before, Jer. 40:8–9, but now they come to discover a conspiracy against his life.

Dost thou, for dost thou not; for not is plainly understood, as the sense makes evident. Whether this Baalis be a proper name of the king of the Ammonites, or, as some think, an appellative name, signifying the lady or the queen regent, is uncertain.

Discerning that Gedaliah took no great notice of his word spoken to him in the presence of the other captains, he goeth to him secretly, offereth him his service to prevent the stroke, if he might have commission from him; mindeth him that if he did not value his own life, yet he ought to consider…

Thus God dementates those whom he designeth to destroy. Gedaliah in this showeth an excellent temper, not to be over-credulous and suspicious, Charity thinks no ill, but not that prudence which became a chief magistrate.