401 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord after Nebuzaradan captain of the bodyguard had released him from Ramah , when he had taken him bound in chains among all the exiles of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon . 2 Now the captain of the bodyguard had taken Jeremiah and said to him, "The Lord your God promised this calamity against this place ; 3 and the Lord has brought it on and done just as He promised . Because you people sinned against the Lord and did not listen to His voice , therefore this thing has happened to you. 4 "But now , behold , I am freeing you today from the chains which are on your hands . If you would prefer e to come with me to Babylon , come along, and I will look e after you; but if you would prefer e not to come with me to Babylon , never mind . Look , the whole land is before you; go wherever it seems good and right for you to go ." 5 As Jeremiah was still not going back , he said, "Go on back then to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam , the son of Shaphan , whom the king of Babylon has appointed over the cities of Judah , and stay with him among the people ; or else go anywhere it seems right for you to go ." So the captain of the bodyguard gave him a ration and a gift and let him go . 6 Then Jeremiah went to Mizpah to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam and stayed with him among the people who were left in the land .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 40:1-6
Commentary on Jeremiah 40:1-6
(Read Jeremiah 40:1-6)
The captain of the guard seems to glory that he had been God's instrument to fulfil, what Jeremiah had been God's messenger to foretell. Many can see God's justice and truth with regard to others, who are heedless and blind as to themselves and their own sins. But, sooner or later, all men shall be made sensible that their sin is the cause of all their miseries. Jeremiah has leave to dispose of himself; but is advised to go to Gedaliah, governor of the land under the king of Babylon. It is doubtful whether Jeremiah acted right in this decision. But those who desire the salvation of sinners, and the good of the church, are apt to expect better times from slight appearances, and they will prefer the hope of being useful, to the most secure situations without it.