* Footnote * 4_Kings 25 : 1
And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, the tenth day of the month, that Nabuchodonosor, king of Babylon, came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem: and they surrounded it: and raised works round about it.*H And in the eleventh year of Sedecias, in the fourth month, the fifth day of the month, the city was opened.
Ver. 2. Fifth. The parallel passages and other editions read ninth. Some pretend that (C.) the city was taken on the 5th of the 4th month, and after being pillaged was burnt on the 7th (4 K. xxiv. 8.) or 10th of the 5th month. C. lii. 12. Sanct. A. Lap. — But the city was taken on the 9th of the 4th month, and Nabuzardan entered on the 7th of the 5th month, and burnt it and the temple on the 10th. Salien, &c. C. — From the beginning of the siege (A. 3414) to the end (A. 3416. Usher), two years and a half elapsed. It was interrupted a short time. Two fasts are still observed by the Jews to deplore these events. Zac. vii. 3. and viii. 19.
*H And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate: Neregel, Sereser, Semegarnabu, Sarsachim, Rabsares, Neregel, Serezer, Rebmag, and all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.
Ver. 3. Neregel, Sereser. Perhaps Nabuzardan should be read, (v. 13. H.) or these names are mentioned twice, probably by mistake of transcribers. The former was an idol; (4 K. xvii. 30.) the latter word means "treasurer." C. — Prot. Nergal-Sharezer seems to be one person, as in Sept. or "treasurer of Nergel." H. — Samgar-nebu, was "prefect of the temple of Nabo." — Sarsachim, "prince of the sacæ, or Scythians." — Rabsares, "master of the eunuchs," or officers within the palace. Such a one was employed by Sennacherib. 4 K. xviii. 17. — Rebmag, "chief of the magi," (C.) or "master of the camp." Jun. — These entered the first wall. C. i. 15. Is. xxii. 7.
*H And when Sedecias the king of Juda and all the men of war saw them, they fled: and they went forth in the night out of the city by the way of the king's garden, and by the gate that was between the two walls, and they went out to the way of the desert.
Ver. 4. Walls. This gate had not yet been seized, (C.) leading to Jericho. v. 5. H. Ezec. xii. 4. — Sept. Rom. passes over the next 12 verses, which seem to be taken from 4 K. xxv. 4. C. — Grabe supplies v. 4. to 13. inclusively. "And they sent," &c. which is well connected with v. 3. — The possession of one gate would let all the army enter: whereupon Sedecias fled by a postern gate. W.
*H But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after them: and they took Sedecias in the plain of the desert of Jericho, and when they had taken him, they brought him to Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon to Reblatha, which is in the land of Emath: and he gave judgment upon him.
Ver. 5. In the land, or environs of Emesa, in Syria. Theod. — Judgment. Reproaching him with perfidy and ingratitude. W. — He slew the nobles, as his accomplices.
*H And Nabuzardan the general of the army carried away captive to Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and the fugitives that had gone over to him, and the rest of the people that remained.
Ver. 9. Army. Heb. "slayers," denoting soldiers, cooks, and sacrificers. Gen. xxxvii. 36. — Remained, having escaped the sword, &c. They had been spared when Joakim and Jechonias were taken.
*H But Nabuzardan the general left some of the poor people that had nothing at all, in the land of Juda, and he gave them vineyards, and cisterns at that time.
Ver. 10. Cisterns, and fields. 4 K. xxv. 12. They were thus attached to the Chaldees.
*H Now Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon had given charge to Nabuzardan the general concerning Jeremias, saying:
Ver. 11. Had given, after the prisoners had got to Rama. C. xl. 1.
*H Therefore Nabuzardan the general sent, and Nabuzardan, and Rabsares, and Neregel, and Sereser, and Rebmag, and all the nobles of the king of Babylon,
Ver. 13. Nabusezban perhaps stand for Semegar, Nabu, and Sarsachim. The other four officers occur v. 3. C.
*H Sent and took Jeremias out of the court of the prison, and committed him to Godolias the son of Ahicam the son of Saphan, that he might go home, and dwell among the people.
Ver. 14. Godolias. The Jews say he had gone over to assist the Chaldees. T.
*H But delivering, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword: but thy life shall be saved for thee, because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord.
Ver. 18. Saved. Heb. "a booty." C. xxi. 9. Thus God rewards what is done to his servants. Mat. xxv. 40. C.