Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Jeremiah 39
Jeremiah 39:18For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, declares the Lord.
God promises Ebed-melech that his life will be spared because he put his trust in the Lord, showing that personal faith matters even in times of national crisis.Jeremiah 39:10But some of the poor people who had nothing, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left behind in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
Jeremiah 39:12“Take him, look after him well, and do him no harm, but deal with him as he tells you.”
The pagan king Nebuchadnezzar gives orders to protect Jeremiah, proving that God can use anyone to ensure His servants are cared for.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Walls Crumble and the City Falls
After eighteen months of a brutal siege where the people of Jerusalem suffered from hunger and disease, the Babylonian army finally breaks through the city walls. This event follows years of Jeremiah's prophecies in chapters 37 and 38, where he urged King Zedekiah to surrender to Babylon to save the city. Because the king refused to listen, the city is now defenseless, and the Babylonian officials take their seats at the Middle Gate to signify their total control.
A King's Flight and a Prophet's Freedom
As the enemy enters, King Zedekiah attempts a desperate midnight escape through the royal gardens, hoping to reach safety in the plains. However, he is captured near Jericho and brought before Nebuchadnezzar for a brutal sentencing that leaves him blind and in chains. While the city is burned and the elite are exiled, the narrative shifts to show God's surprising mercy toward Jeremiah and a faithful foreigner named Ebed-melech.
The Final Days of Jerusalem
In Jeremiah 39:1-18, the scene opens with the terrifying arrival of the Babylonian army at the gates of Jerusalem. The passage moves from the military breach of the walls to the personal tragedies of the royal family, and finally to the specific promises of safety for those who remained loyal to God.
The Breach of the Walls (Jeremiah 39:1-3)
1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and besieged it.
2 In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city.
3 Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and sat in the middle gate: Nergal-sar-ezer of Samgar, Nebu-sar-sekim the Rab-saris, Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag, with all the rest of the officers of the king of Babylon.
Commentary:
The Babylonian army breaks through Jerusalem's walls and their leaders take control of the city.
The Capture of Zedekiah (Jeremiah 39:4-7)
4 When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled, going out of the city at night by way of the king's garden through the gate between the two walls, and they went toward the Arabah.
5 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. And when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, at Riblah, in the land of Hamath, and he passed sentence on him.
6 Then the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah at Riblah before his eyes, and the king of Babylon slaughtered all the nobles of Judah.
7 The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he passed sentence on him.
Commentary:
King Zedekiah is captured, blinded, and taken to Babylon after witnessing the death of his family.
Destruction and a New Start for the Poor (Jeremiah 39:8-10)
8 The Chaldeans burned the king's house and the house of the people, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.
9 Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, carried into exile to Babylon the rest of the people who were left in the city, those who had deserted to him, and the people who remained.
10 But some of the poor people who had nothing, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left behind in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
Commentary:
Jerusalem is destroyed and the people are exiled, but the poor are left behind and given land.
Jeremiah's Release (Jeremiah 39:11-14)
11 Now Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, left in the land of Judah the poor people who had nothing, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
12 “Take him, look after him well, and do him no harm, but deal with him as he tells you.”
13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushazban, Rab-saris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon,
14 They sent and took Jeremiah from the court of the guard. They entrusted him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, that he should take him home. So he lived among the people.
Commentary:
The Babylonian king orders that Jeremiah be protected and released from prison.
A Promise to Ebed-melech (Jeremiah 39:15-18)
15 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the guard:
16 “Go, and say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will fulfill my words against this city for harm and not for good, and they shall be accomplished before you on that day.
17 But I will deliver you on that day, declares the Lord, and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid.
18 For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, declares the Lord.
Commentary:
God promises to save Ebed-melech from the coming destruction because of his trust.
Divine Justice and Personal Mercy in the Ruins
The Certainty of God's Word
This chapter proves that God's warnings are not empty threats. Everything Jeremiah predicted about the fall of the city and the fate of the king came true exactly as stated, reminding us that God is serious about His word.
Mercy for the Marginalized
While the powerful leaders who exploited others were punished, the poor were given land and the faithful foreigner, Ebed-melech, was saved. This reveals God's heart for those who are often overlooked or mistreated by society.
The Safety of Trusting God
The contrast between Zedekiah, who relied on his own plans and failed, and Ebed-melech, who trusted God and was saved, is striking. It teaches that true security is found in spiritual trust rather than political or military strength.
Applying the Lessons of Jerusalem's Fall
It shows that repeatedly ignoring spiritual guidance, like King Zedekiah did in verses 4-7, eventually leads to a point where we must face the results of our actions. However, it also shows that it is never too late to trust God, as seen in His protection of those who remained faithful during the crisis.
Focus on God's personal promises to find peace, following Ebed-melech's example in verses 17-18. Even when a whole nation was falling, God had a specific plan to deliver one man who put his trust in Him, proving that your individual faith matters to God.
Jeremiah 39:10 reminds us that God often cares for the poor by providing for them when the systems of the world fail. It encourages you to have a heart for the marginalized, recognizing that God values those whom the world might consider 'nothing.'
God's Word Stands Through the Storm
Jeremiah 39 serves as a sobering reminder that God's justice eventually meets those who persistently reject His guidance. Yet, even in the midst of total destruction, God's character of mercy shines through as He protects the faithful and provides for the poor. The message is clear: while human kingdoms and plans may fail, God's promises to those who trust Him remain unshakable. He is a God who sees the individual in the crowd and honors the faith of the humble.
What This Means for Us Today
The fall of Jerusalem is a call to examine where we place our trust - in our own escape plans or in the living God. Like Ebed-melech, we are invited to act with courage and faith, knowing that God is a shield for those who rely on Him. This chapter invites us to listen to God's voice today so that we can walk in His protection tomorrow.
- Is there a 'warning' from God's word that you have been ignoring lately?
- Following Ebed-melech's example with Jeremiah, how can you show kindness to someone marginalized?
- What 'walls' in your life are you trying to build for security instead of trusting in God?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
Provides the background of Jeremiah's final warning to Zedekiah and Ebed-melech's rescue of the prophet.
Details what happened to the remnant of people left in the land after the Babylonians departed.
Connections Across Scripture
A parallel historical account of the fall of Jerusalem and the exile to Babylon.
Jesus' teaching that the 'meek shall inherit the earth' echoes the poor receiving land in Jeremiah 39.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think King Zedekiah chose to flee rather than surrender as Jeremiah had suggested?
- In verse 10, the poor are given vineyards and fields. What does this tell us about God's view of social justice and restoration?
- God tells Ebed-melech he will be saved because he 'put his trust' in Him. What does practical trust look like when you are facing a scary situation today?
Glossary
places
events
figures
Zedekiah
The last king of Judah who was captured and blinded for his rebellion against Babylon and God.
Nebuchadnezzar
The powerful king of Babylon who conquered Jerusalem and led the Jewish people into exile.
Ebed-melech
An Ethiopian official who rescued Jeremiah from a cistern and was promised safety by God.