Jeremiah 37

37:1–38:28 The focus now returns to Zedekiah, who succeeded his nephew Jehoiachin as king of Judah. These chapters record encounters between Zedekiah and Jeremiah that make plain Zedekiah’s inability to commit himself wholeheartedly to God’s word (cp. Deut 10:12-13). Zedekiah is a classic example of a “person with divided loyalty” (Jas 1:6-8).37:1-2 These verses summarize Zedekiah’s reign and his entire response to the Lord’s messages through Jeremiah.

37:3-4 In asking for prayer, Zedekiah apparently hoped that Jeremiah’s petitions would magically defeat the enemy (see 14:7-9 and corresponding study note).

37:5 The Babylonians began their siege of Jerusalem in 588 BC. But they left Jerusalem because the army of Pharaoh Hophra was coming to help Judah. The Babylonians hoped to block and defeat the Egyptians, which they did.

37:6-10 The Lord answered Jeremiah’s prayer (37:3) with a warning for Zedekiah. The Egyptians would provide no lasting help, and the Babylonians would return to destroy Jerusalem—a prophecy that was fulfilled in 586 BC.

37:11-12 When the Babylonians went to face the Egyptians, Jeremiah decided to walk three miles north to his hometown, Anathoth, to claim his share of the property among his relatives there. He wanted to see his newly purchased property (32:1-25).

37:13-16 The sentry and other officials of Judah misinterpreted Jeremiah’s action as desertion.

37:17 By asking Jeremiah about other messages from the Lord, the king indicated that he was fearful of the future and still hoped that the Lord would defeat the Babylonians. Jeremiah answered quickly and emphatically that there was no hope for the kind of divine intervention that had destroyed the Assyrian army during Hezekiah’s reign (2 Kgs 19:8-37).

37:18-20 Jeremiah evidently assumed that Zedekiah was involved in his arrest and imprisonment. The prophet would have been in poor physical condition after being flogged and confined without medical treatment and with little food.

37:21 The king defied his officials and ordered the guards to keep Jeremiah in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace under protective custody. Considering the scarcity of food during the long siege, a loaf of fresh bread every day was a generous ration.