11 Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers with him heard about the atrocities committed by Ishmael son of Nethaniah. 12 They set off at once after Ishmael son of Nethaniah. They found him at the large pool at Gibeon. 13 When all the prisoners from Mizpah who had been taken by Ishmael saw Johanan son of Kareah and the army officers with him, they couldn't believe their eyes. They were so happy! 14 They all rallied around Johanan son of Kareah and headed back home. 15 But Ishmael son of Nethaniah got away, escaping from Johanan with eight men into the land of Ammon. 16 Then Johanan son of Kareah and the army officers with him gathered together what was left of the people whom Ishmael son of Nethaniah had taken prisoner from Mizpah after the murder of Gedaliah son of Ahikam - men, women, children, eunuchs - and brought them back from Gibeon. 17 They set out at once for Egypt to get away from the Chaldeans, stopping on the way at Geruth-kimham near Bethlehem. 18 They were afraid of what the Chaldeans might do in retaliation of Ishmael son of Nethaniah's murder of Gedaliah son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor of the country.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 41:11-18
Commentary on Jeremiah 41:11-18
(Read Jeremiah 41:11-18)
The success of villany must be short, and none can prosper who harden their hearts against God. And those justly lose comfort in real fears, who excuse themselves in sin by pretended fears. The removal of a prudent and peaceable ruler, and the succession of another who is rash and ambitious, affects the welfare of many. Only those are happy and steady who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.