From Splendor to Shadow

A Vacillating King's Secret Rendezvous

While the princes were still vainly looking toward Egypt for help, King Zedekiah was thinking of the prophet of God that had been thrust into prison. After many days the king sent for him and asked him secretly, “Is there any word from the Lord?” Jeremiah answered, “There is: for, said He, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.” SS 237.3

“Moreover Jeremiah said unto King Zedekiah, ... Where are now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor against this land? Therefore hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: ... that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.” Jeremiah 37:17-20. SS 237.4

At this Zedekiah commanded that they commit “Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers’ street, until all the bread in the city were spent.” Verse 21. SS 237.5

The king dared not openly manifest any faith in Jeremiah. Though fear drove him to seek information privately, he was too weak to brave the disapprobation of his princes and people by submitting to the will of God as declared by the prophet. SS 238.1

Jeremiah continued to advise submission to the Babylonian rule: “He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live.” Jeremiah 38:2. SS 238.2

At last the princes, enraged over the counsels that were contrary to their policy of resistance, made a vigorous protest before the king. The prophet was an enemy to the nation. He should be put to death! SS 238.3