Jeremiah 41 -- Worthless Advice

WEEK  4                                              Jeremiah 41

SATURDAY  Reflections

In the previous chapter, Gedaliah was warned that Ishmael son of Nethaniah was going to kill him. He didn't believe it, and here, while seated at a table together, Ishmael struck. The advice doesn't do anyone any good if it isn't listened to.

Why didn’t Gedaliah believe those who were trying to warn him? Maybe it was because there wasn't much left, or he thought Ismael was a friend, but whatever the reason it cost him his life.  What we don’t see is Gedaliah seeking wisdom from God.

This scripture sets up what is going to happen to Jeremiah in the next chapter, but for us, I believe the lesson we may be able to take away is that treachery is real. Sometimes you can protect yourself against it and sometimes you can't. If nothing else this is an example of what we shouldn't be like.

Jer 41:1-18
(1)  Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.
(2)  Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.
(3)  Ishmael also slew all the Jews that were with him, even with Gedaliah, at Mizpah, and the Chaldeans that were found there, and the men of war.
(4)  And it came to pass the second day after he had slain Gedaliah, and no man knew it,
(5)  That there came certain from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, even fourscore men, having their beards shaven, and their clothes rent, and having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD.
(6)  And Ishmael the son of Nethaniah went forth from Mizpah to meet them, weeping all along as he went: and it came to pass, as he met them, he said unto them, Come to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam.
(7)  And it was so, when they came into the midst of the city, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah slew them, and cast them into the midst of the pit, he, and the men that were with him.
(8)  But ten men were found among them that said unto Ishmael, Slay us not: for we have treasures in the field, of wheat, and of barley, and of oil, and of honey. So he forbare, and slew them not among their brethren.
(9)  Now the pit wherein Ishmael had cast all the dead bodies of the men, whom he had slain because of Gedaliah, was it which Asa the king had made for fear of Baasha king of Israel: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah filled it with them that were slain.
(10)  Then Ishmael carried away captive all the residue of the people that were in Mizpah, even the king's daughters, and all the people that remained in Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam: and Ishmael the son of Nethaniah carried them away captive, and departed to go over to the Ammonites.
(11)  But when Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, heard of all the evil that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had done,
(12)  Then they took all the men, and went to fight with Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and found him by the great waters that are in Gibeon.
(13)  Now it came to pass, that when all the people which were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, then they were glad.
(14)  So all the people that Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah cast about and returned, and went unto Johanan the son of Kareah.
(15)  But Ishmael the son of Nethaniah escaped from Johanan with eight men, and went to the Ammonites.
(16)  Then took Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, all the remnant of the people whom he had recovered from Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, from Mizpah, after that he had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, even mighty men of war, and the women, and the children, and the eunuchs, whom he had brought again from Gibeon:
(17)  And they departed, and dwelt in the habitation of Chimham, which is by Bethlehem, to go to enter into Egypt,
(18)  Because of the Chaldeans: for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.

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Song of Solomon 1

WEEK  4                                  Song of Solomon 1

FRIDAY  Reflections

As depressing as Ecclesiastes can be, Song of Solomon can be erotic. Some have said it was included in the canon of Scripture because it reflected the love between Christ and His church (this does have some symbolic merit). The Song of Solomon may not have been penned by Solomon but during his time and showed an example of a couple's love for one another. There have been some who have tried to say sex and marital love have little value, yet these aspects of humanity predate the fall of man and were part of humanity when created. I believe the greater reason God has this included in scripture is to remind people that God loves a great love story. 

Son 1:1-17
(1)  The song of songs, which is Solomon's.
(2)  Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
(3)  Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
(4)  Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
(5)  I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
(6)  Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
(7)  Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?
(8)  If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.
(9)  I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.
(10)  Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.
(11)  We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.
(12)  While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
(13)  A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.
(14)  My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.
(15)  Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.
(16)  Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.
(17)  The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.

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Matthew 4

WEEK  4                                             Matthew 4

THURSDAY  Reflections

Chapter 4 has three great points: The temptation of Jesus, the calling of the twelve, and the beginning of Jesus’ healing ministry. Yet today I want to look at something I find interesting. The timing of Jesus’ temptation.

 

In the previous chapter Jesus, submits himself to a new life (baptism represents new life). Before this, he was the child of Mary and probably a carpenter, yet now he leaves that and takes on a new role. He is proclaimed loved by God, the person of the Holy Spirit came down upon him, and God the Father said He was well pleased. Wow, what an event.

 

Then God leads him into temptation. What? Everything is right, there was a great opportunity there, people saw what had happened and surely heard the words, but where does Jesus go? Into the wilderness.

 

What is God thinking?

 

God is allowing Jesus to face what we all face, temptation. However, I think there is something more here we can miss. After our greatest victories, we can give into our greatest temptations. You have lost 50 pounds and now you are sitting at an all-you-can-eat buffet with your favorite food. You have arrived and now you ask, now what? Without direction, you fall.

 

I have seen people on the top of their game. They have won the prize only to do something incredibly stupid?

 

Yes, there is research that says we can use up our resistance to temptation, but that isn’t an excuse to give in. It should be a warning of what to watch out for. Considering all of this, I suggest remembering that the greatest temptations can come after the greatest victories, so prepare.

 

If I might add one last thing, use the Word of God to prepare, it worked for Jesus after all.   

 Mat 4:1-25
(1)  Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
(2)  And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
(3)  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
(4)  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
(5)  Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
(6)  And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
(7)  Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
(8)  Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
(9)  And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
(10)  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
(11)  Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
(12)  Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
(13)  And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
(14)  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
(15)  The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
(16)  The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
(17)  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
(18)  And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
(19)  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
(20)  And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
(21)  And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
(22)  And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
(23)  And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
(24)  And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
(25)  And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

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Psalm 108

WEEK 4                                               Psalm 108

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

The end of Psalm 108 makes it very clear that without God we fail, but with him, we succeed. Yes, we may have some victories if we try and work without God, but ultimately we lose.

 

Throughout history, there are proofs that just because you win the battles you don’t win the war. The American Revolution is a perfect example. In battle after battle, the British won or at least weren’t defeated. Yet, they won just the right number, and then they won one the battle at Yorktown. With that victory, the undersized and out-manned colonies won independence.

 

How much more is it with God. Time after time men turn from him and it seems God’s plans are falling apart, but God is never defeated. In truth, very often what seems like defeat is what He uses for victory (the cross for example).

 

We need to remember this and always look to God to bring us to the place of ultimate victory. 

Psa 108:1-13
(1)  A Song or Psalm of David. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
(2)  Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
(3)  I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
(4)  For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
(5)  Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;
(6)  That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.
(7)  God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
(8)  Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
(9)  Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.
(10)  Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
(11)  Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
(12)  Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
(13)  Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

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2 Samuel 23

WEEK 4                                           2 Samuel 23

TUESDAY  Reflections

I won't go into detail here but look at the people surrounding David. David's mighty men were amazing. This reminds me that great men rarely fight alone. First David had God on his side making all the difference, but then he had men of might true friends that fought as hard if not harder than he did. It is no wonder David was able to win the battles he did. David had strong allies.

What do you find most amazing in David's mighty men?


2Sa 23:1-39
(1)  Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
(2)  The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
(3)  The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
(4)  And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
(5)  Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
(6)  But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
(7)  But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
(8)  These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
(9)  And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
(10)  He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
(11)  And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.
(12)  But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.
(13)  And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.
(14)  And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
(15)  And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!
(16)  And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
(17)  And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.
(18)  And Abishai, the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief among three. And he lifted up his spear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three.
(19)  Was he not most honourable of three? therefore he was their captain: howbeit he attained not unto the first three.
(20)  And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man, of Kabzeel, who had done many acts, he slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow:
(21)  And he slew an Egyptian, a goodly man: and the Egyptian had a spear in his hand; but he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
(22)  These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among three mighty men.
(23)  He was more honourable than the thirty, but he attained not to the first three. And David set him over his guard.
(24)  Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
(25)  Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite,
(26)  Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite,
(27)  Abiezer the Anethothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite,
(28)  Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
(29)  Heleb the son of Baanah, a Netophathite, Ittai the son of Ribai out of Gibeah of the children of Benjamin,
(30)  Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai of the brooks of Gaash,
(31)  Abialbon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite,
(32)  Eliahba the Shaalbonite, of the sons of Jashen, Jonathan,
(33)  Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite,
(34)  Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite,
(35)  Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite,
(36)  Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite,
(37)  Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, armourbearer to Joab the son of Zeruiah,
(38)  Ira an Ithrite, Gareb an Ithrite,
(39)  Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all.

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2 Samuel 22

WEEK  4                                            2 Samuel 22

MONDAY  Reflections

A history of David would not be complete with one of David's psalms. One needs to recall that this book was written separately from the Psalms. Know this it is easier to understand why the author put this in the history of David. However, there is another point which should be pointed out. David ends this psalm with the promise God would bless his descendants forever and as the history of David's line continues we will see how God keeps his promise.

2Sa 22:1-51
(1)  And David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
(2)  And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
(3)  The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
(4)  I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
(5)  When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
(6)  The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
(7)  In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
(8)  Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
(9)  There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
(10)  He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
(11)  And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
(12)  And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
(13)  Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
(14)  The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
(15)  And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
(16)  And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
(17)  He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
(18)  He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
(19)  They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
(20)  He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
(21)  The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
(22)  For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
(23)  For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
(24)  I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
(25)  Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
(26)  With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
(27)  With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
(28)  And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
(29)  For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
(30)  For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
(31)  As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
(32)  For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
(33)  God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
(34)  He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
(35)  He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
(36)  Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
(37)  Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
(38)  I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
(39)  And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
(40)  For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
(41)  Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
(42)  They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
(43)  Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
(44)  Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
(45)  Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
(46)  Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
(47)  The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
(48)  It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,
(49)  And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
(50)  Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
(51)  He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.

Jeremiah 40

WEEK  3                                              Jeremiah 40

SATURDAY  Reflections

I am amazed sometimes that those who are not Christians yet understand some deep truth found in the Bible. In verses 2-3, we hear that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard understood it was the sin of God's people that caused them to fall. It was usually thought if a city or people fell it was because their god/gods weren't powerful enough to save them. Here this man understood it wasn't that God wasn't powerful but that Israel had sinned. How the captain of Nebuchadnezzar’s guard knew about God isn't explained but then God is at work in places we may never know, reaching out to people in the most unusual ways.

Jer 40:1-16
(1)  The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.
(2)  And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place.
(3)  Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.
(4)  And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee to go, thither go.
(5)  Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.
(6)  Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.
(7)  Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;
(8)  Then they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan and Jonathan the sons of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth, and the sons of Ephai the Netophathite, and Jezaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
(9)  And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.
(10)  As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.
(11)  Likewise when all the Jews that were in Moab, and among the Ammonites, and in Edom, and that were in all the countries, heard that the king of Babylon had left a remnant of Judah, and that he had set over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan;
(12)  Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much.
(13)  Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah,
(14)  And said unto him, Dost thou certainly know that Baalis the king of the Ammonites hath sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to slay thee? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam believed them not.
(15)  Then Johanan the son of Kareah spake to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Let me go, I pray thee, and I will slay Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: wherefore should he slay thee, that all the Jews which are gathered unto thee should be scattered, and the remnant in Judah perish?

Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash
(16)  But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said unto Johanan the son of Kareah, Thou shalt not do this thing: for thou speakest falsely of Ishmael.