Jeremiah — Chapter 39

📖 Jeremiah — Chapter 39 (KJV)

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Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.

Jeremiah 39:1 In ^Rthe ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.

Jeremiah 39:2 And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in ^Rthe fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.

Jeremiah 39:3 And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.

Jeremiah 39:4 And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, by the gate ^Rbetwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.

Jeremiah 39:5 But the Chaldeans’ army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah ^Rin the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he ^Tgave judgment upon him.

Jeremiah 39:6 Then the king of Babylon ^Rslew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.

Jeremiah 39:7 Moreover ^Rhe put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him ^Twith chains, to carry him to Babylon.

Jeremiah 39:8 And the Chaldeans ^Rburned the king’s house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 39:9 Then Nebuzaradan the ^RTcaptain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.

Jeremiah 39:10 But Nebuzaradan the ^Tcaptain of the guard ^Rleft of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields ^Tat the same time.

Jeremiah 39:11 Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon ^Rgave charge concerning Jeremiah ^Tto Nebuzaradan the ^Tcaptain of the guard, saying,

Jeremiah 39:12 Take him, and ^RTlook well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.

Jeremiah 39:13 So Nebuzaradan the ^Tcaptain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon’s princes;

Jeremiah 39:14 Even they sent, and ^Rtook Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.

Jeremiah 39:15 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, ^Rwhile he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

Jeremiah 39:16 Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; ^RBehold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.

Jeremiah 39:17 But ^RI will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.

Jeremiah 39:18 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, ^Rbut thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.

📚 Study This Chapter

📖 What We’re Reading

Jeremiah 39:1–6 — The city is breached and the king captured

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

After prolonged siege, Babylonian officers enter Jerusalem. Zedekiah’s escape fails, and he is taken to Riblah where his sons and Judah’s nobles are killed before him.

Key Truth: Take fulfilled warnings with sober attention.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

Jeremiah 39:7–12 — Exile, destruction, and instructions for Jeremiah

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

The blinded king is chained for Babylon, and the palace and homes burn. Many are deported while poor people receive vineyards and fields; the Babylonian king commands humane care for Jeremiah.

Key Truth: Notice the different human experiences within a national catastrophe.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

Jeremiah 39:13–18 — Release and a promise to Ebedmelech

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Jeremiah is entrusted to Gedaliah to live among the people. A message given during confinement promises Ebedmelech rescue because he trusted the Lord when he acted to save the prophet.

Key Truth: Let trust bear courageous and merciful action.

Check What You Remember

Related Scripture (KJV)

Jeremiah 38:9 — Ebedmelech had spoken against the wrong done to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 38:9 (KJV) My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.

This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.

Reflect and Apply

How can trust in God move you toward courageous mercy?

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