And king Joakim sent men into Egypt, Elnathan the son of Achobor, and men with him into Egypt.

“Here is set down the repression of the people's fury against Jeremiah, through the words of the elders. And first they set forth the example of a just man to be imitated, concerning the deed of Micah, setting down his preaching; Micah; one of the twelve minor prophets, of Morasthi, to distinguish him from Micah the son of Yela, of whom 3 Kings, last: Zion, Micah 3: hear, O princes of Jacob, and rulers of the house of Israel. Above 9: and I will make Jerusalem into heaps of sand, and dens of dragons, and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, because there is no inhabitant. And the people's turning: did he condemn him to death? As if to say, No. Above 6: ask about the ancient paths, which is the good way, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls. And they draw the conclusion: therefore let us not do so. Psalm 7: his sorrow shall be turned back upon his own head, and his iniquity shall come down upon his own crown. Second, they set forth an example of injustice to be avoided, lest they add evils to evils; there was also a man prophesying. And first his preaching is set down; and he prophesied. 1 Corinthians 14: for God is not a God of dissension, but of peace. And therefore all were saying the same thing. Second, the persecution is set down, and the flight; and he heard (...) and fled. Matthew 10: if they persecute you in one city, flee into another. Third, his killing; and the king sent; because he was allied with the Egyptians. But this one was killed, and Jeremiah was set free, for this reason: because God permits some of the saints to be killed, for the condemnation of the wicked, and as an example of patience for the good, James, last: take, brothers, as an example of suffering evil, and of longsuffering, and of labor, and of patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Similarly, Acts 12, James is killed, Peter is set free. Third, the execution of the sentence concerning the deliverance of Jeremiah is set down: therefore the hand of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, was with Jeremiah. And it is plain.”

“And Jehoiakim sent men into Egypt,.... To seek for him; and to require the delivery of him upon being found: namely, Elnathan the son of Achbor; the father of this man very probably is the same we read of in Josiah's time, Kg2 22:12; who is called Abdon in Ch2 34:20; and certain men with him, into Egypt; to assist him in taking him, whose names are not mentioned; Elnathan's is, as being the principal, and to fix an eternal infamy upon him.”

“Jehoiakim sent . . . into Egypt--He had been put on the throne by Pharaoh of Egypt (Kg2 23:34). This explains the readiness with which he got the Egyptians to give up Urijah to him, when that prophet had sought an asylum in Egypt. Urijah was faithful in delivering his message, but faulty in leaving his work, so God permitted him to lose his life, while Jeremiah was protected in danger. The path of duty is often the path of safety.”