CHAP. XXXIX.
IN this Chapter for ten verses is set forth the same History with that 2 Kin. 25. and therefore I spare to say any thing more upon it in this place. Only vers. 3. a thing not there recounted is set down, viz. that the Princes of the King of Babylon sat after their coming into the City in the middle gate, most pro∣bably to shew themselves masters of the City, that being a tribunall, where Judges that had the rule of the Land used to sit. Calvin thinketh, that they stayed here only out of wariness, that their men might first go into all parts of the City to see whether it were empty, or any ambushes were secretly laid any where. Touching the middle Gate, it is to be understood, that Jerusalem was walled about with two wals, in either of which was a Gate, the second of which was opposite to the Gate of the Temple, and therefore is called the mid∣dle Gate. Here sat Neregal S••reser, which words signifie Praefectus thesauro∣rum. For Ser or Sir signifieth Master, and Otsar, Treasure: Semegarnabu, Praefectus unguentariorum, and Rabsares signifieth the same. Neregel was also Prince of the treasure, as the first Rabmeg, Princeps liquoris; Some will have them to be proper names of his Princes without respect to their offices.
It is said, That he gave the poor vineyards and fields the same day. 2 King. 25. He left the poor to dresse the vineyards, &c. The meaning being the same, for he gave them these to husband for the King of Babylon, and out of them to pay him tribute. And the Scholastick History, according to Josephus, saith, That the Rechabites spoken of Chap. 35. were some of these, but the course of their life being expressed not to plant vineyards or to till the ground, makes for the contrary, yet it is probable that they were left, as a kinde of people given to contemplation, and poor, and so not to be feared to stirre up to any rebellion, and this agreeth with the promise of their father recounted Chap. 35. 7. and with that of the Lord v. 19. of the same Chapter.
Here is somewhat added, which was not before 2 King. 25. viz. the charge given by Nebuchadnezzar to his steward Nebuzaradan touching Jeremiah, who thereupon took him out of prison, and delivered him to Gedaliah to carry him home, of which Gedaliah, 2 King. 25. it is said, that he was by Ne∣buchadnezzar made Governour of the Land. Now the promise made to Jere∣miah, Chap. 15. 11. I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well, took effect to his comfort after his great and grievous sufferings so long a time, to the encourage∣ment of every faithful Pastor, when he shall look at the end.
From hence to the end of the Chapter is a Prophecie of comfort to Ebedme∣lek; of whose piety see before Chap. 38. he promiseth to him, whilst he was yet in the Court of the prison, that he should not die by the sword, as the Kings Princes, but that his life should be spared, because he trusted in the Lord, as did notably appear in his adventuring his life to life, the life of Jere∣miab against the conspiracy of all the Princes. For he that doth thus sheweth agreat deal of confidence in God, and indeed he shall be in the way of safety, when all others are in danger of destruction, in confidence whereof to encou∣rage us to adventure in the like case God hath caused this to be set forth in this place.