261 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah , king of Judah , this word came from the Lord , saying , 2 "Thus says the Lord , ' Stand in the court of the Lord'S house , and speak to all the cities of Judah who have come to worship in the Lord'S house all the words that I have commanded you to speak to them. Do not omit a word ! 3 ' Perhaps they will listen and everyone will turn from his evil way , that I may repent of the calamity which I am planning to do to them because e of the evil of their deeds .' 4 "And you will say to them, 'Thus says the Lord , " If you will not listen to Me, to walk in My law which I have set before you, 5 to listen to the words of My servants the prophets , whom I have been sending to you again and again , but you have not listened ; 6 then I will make this house like Shiloh , and this city I will make a curse to all the nations of the earth .""'
7 The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the Lord . 8 When Jeremiah finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people , the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying , " You must die ! 9 "Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord saying , 'This house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate , without inhabitant '?" And all the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the Lord .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 26:1-9
Commentary on Jeremiah 26:1-6
(Read Jeremiah 26:1-6)
God's ambassadors must not seek to please men, or to save themselves from harm. See how God waits to be gracious. If they persisted in disobedience, it would ruin their city and temple. Can any thing else be expected? Those who will not be subject to the commands of God, make themselves subject to the curse of God.
Commentary on Jeremiah 26:7-15
(Read Jeremiah 26:7-15)
The priests and prophets charged Jeremiah as deserving death, and bore false witness against him. The elders of Israel came to inquire into this matter. Jeremiah declares that the Lord sent him to prophesy thus. As long as ministers keep close to the word they have from God, they need not fear. And those are very unjust who complain of ministers for preaching of hell and damnation; for it is from a desire to bring them to heaven and salvation. Jeremiah warns them of their danger if they go on against him. All men may know, that to hurt, or put to death, or to show hatred to their faithful reprovers, will hasten and increase their own punishment.