Portions: Jeremiah 39 - 43

Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
had given these orders about Jeremiah
through Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard:
"Take him and look after him;
don't harm him
but do for him whatever he asks."
(Jeremiah 39:11)

Then the commander gave him provisions and a present
and let him go.
So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahakam at Muizpah
and stayed with him among the people
who were left behind in the land.
(Jeremiah 40:5-6)

In the seventh month
Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama,
who was of royal blood
and had been one of the king's officers,
came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah.
While they were there,
Ishmael son of Nethaniah
and the ten men who were with him
got up and struck down
Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan,
with the sword, killing the one
whom the king of Babylon had appointed
as governor over the land.
(Jeremiah 41:1-2)

This is what the Lord, the God of Israel,
to whom you sent me to present your petition, says:
'If you stay in this land,
I will build you up and not tear you down;
I will plant you and not uproot you,
for I am grieved over the disaster I have inflicted on you.
Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon,
whom you now fear.
Do not be afraid of him, declares the Lord,
for I am with you
and will save you and deliver you from his hands.'
(Jeremiah 42:9-11)

So Johanan son of Kareah
and all the army officers and all the people
disobeyed the Lord's command to stay in the land of Judah.
(Jeremiah 43:4)