401 The word that hath been unto Jeremiah from Jehovah, after Nebuzar-Adan, chief of the executioners, hath sent him from Ramah, in his taking him—and he a prisoner in chains—in the midst of all the removal of Jerusalem and of Judah, who are removed to Babylon. 2 And the chief of the executioners taketh Jeremiah, and saith unto him, 'Jehovah thy God hath spoken this evil concerning this place, 3 and Jehovah bringeth 'it' in, and doth as He spake, because ye have sinned against Jehovah, and have not hearkened to His voice, even this thing hath been to you. 4 'And now, lo, I have loosed thee to-day from the chains that 'are' on thy hand; if good in thine eyes to come with me 'to' Babylon, come, and I keep mine eye upon thee: and if evil in thine eyes to come with me to Babylon, forbear; see, all the land 'is' before thee, whither 'it be' good, and whither 'it be' right in thine eyes to go—go.'— 5 and while he doth not reply—'Or turn back unto Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath appointed over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him in the midst of the people, or whithersoever it is right in thine eyes to go—go.' And the chief of the executioners giveth to him for the way, and a gift, and sendeth him away, 6 and Jeremiah cometh in unto Gedaliah son of Ahikam, to Mizpah, and dwelleth with him, in the midst of the people who are 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.