📖 Jeremiah — Chapter 41 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Jeremiah 41:1 Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that RIshmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.
Jeremiah 41:2 Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, Rand smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.
Jeremiah 41:3 Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war.
Jeremiah 41:4 And it came to pass the second day Rafter he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it,
Jeremiah 41:5 That there Rcame certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.
Jeremiah 41:6 And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, RTweeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.
Jeremiah 41:7 And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah Rslew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.
Jeremiah 41:8 But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, RSlay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.
Jeremiah 41:9 Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain Tbecause of Gedaliah, Rwas it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.
Jeremiah 41:10 Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, Reven the king’s daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the Ammonites.
Jeremiah 41:11 But when RJohanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,
Jeremiah 41:12 Then they took all the men, and went Rto fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon.
Jeremiah 41:13 Now it came to pass, that when all the people which were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, then they were glad.
Jeremiah 41:14 So all the people that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah cast about and returned, and went unto Johanan the son of Kareah.
Jeremiah 41:15 But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah Rescaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites.
Jeremiah 41:16 Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, Reven mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon:
Jeremiah 41:17 And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of RChimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt,
Jeremiah 41:18 Because of the Chaldeans: Rfor they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Jeremiah 41:1–6 — Hospitality is betrayed by murder
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Ishmael and his companions kill Gedaliah and others while sharing a meal. With the murder still unknown, mourners arrive and are drawn toward Mizpah by Ishmael’s deceptive welcome.
Key Truth: Do not use trust as a weapon.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “And Ishmael the ____ of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping …” (Jeremiah 41:6)
Find it in Jeremiah 41:6 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And it ____ to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, …” (Jeremiah 41:4)
Find it in Jeremiah 41:4 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “____ also slew all the Jews that were with him, even …” (Jeremiah 41:3)
Find it in Jeremiah 41:3 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Jeremiah 41:7–12 — More violence and a rescue pursuit
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The arriving men are attacked, bodies fill a pit, and the remaining people are taken captive. Johanan and other captains learn what happened and pursue Ishmael to Gibeon.
Key Truth: Act to protect people trapped by violence.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “… all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the ____ of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that …” (Jeremiah 41:12)
Find it in Jeremiah 41:12 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people …” (Jeremiah 41:10)
Find it in Jeremiah 41:10 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Then they ____ all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the …” (Jeremiah 41:12)
Find it in Jeremiah 41:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Jeremiah 41:13–18 — Captives freed but fear drives the next move
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The captive people turn gladly toward Johanan, while Ishmael escapes to Ammon. The rescued remnant moves toward Egypt because it fears Babylonian retaliation for Gedaliah’s murder.
Key Truth: Let fear be examined before it determines direction.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “But Ishmael the ____ of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went …” (Jeremiah 41:15)
Find it in Jeremiah 41:15 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… even mighty men of war, and the women, and the ____ , and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from …” (Jeremiah 41:16)
Find it in Jeremiah 41:16 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Because of the ____ : for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the …” (Jeremiah 41:18)
Find it in Jeremiah 41:18 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 29:25 — Fear of people can become a snare.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What fear needs careful counsel before it shapes your next decision?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What makes Gedaliah’s killing a betrayal of hospitality?
2. How are the arriving mourners treated after entering the city?
3. What wider harm follows the murders?
4. How do the captives respond when they see Johanan’s forces?
5. What fear drives the rescued remnant toward Egypt?
Notes
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