Then the king commanded Abdemelech the Ethiopian, saying: Take from hence thirty men with thee, and draw up Jeremias the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.

“In this part is shown the persecution of the prophet on account of his true preaching: and it is divided into three parts. First he sets down the preaching, he was speaking: for although he was in prison, yet many came to him; in which he threatens death to those who remain: whoever shall remain in this city shall die. And he promised safety to those who fled: but whoever shall flee (...) shall live. The capture of the city: by being delivered, it shall be delivered. And these three things he set down above in 21: whence it seems to be continued, according to the order of the history, to that. Secondly he sets down the persecution: where he sets down the impious petition of the princes: for they seek death: and the princes said. Wis. 2: let us circumvent the just man, because he is contrary to our works. They accuse his preaching: for of set purpose he weakens the hands of the men: which is against the prophetic office. Isa. 35: strengthen the weakened hands, and make firm the feeble knees. And they pervert his intention: since this man does not seek peace. Gal. 4: am I then become an enemy, speaking the truth to you? But Jeremiah did not wish to take away the heart of resisting; but he said those things for the good and salvation of the people, at the command of the Lord. He also sets down the foolish assent of the king: and king Zedekiah said. Whence he is not excused, although he sinned less. John 19: therefore he who delivered me to you has the greater sin. He also sets down their diligent execution: they took Jeremiah, therefore, and cast him into the pit, a cistern without water. Ps. 87: they have put me in the lower pit, in the dark places, and in the shadow of death. And he designates the letting down of the prophet: and so Jeremiah went down into the mire. Ps. 68: I am fixed in the mire of the deep, and there is no substance. Thirdly, the liberation is set down. Here he sets down two things. First, that he is freed from prison; secondly, that he is freed from fear of death, there, and king Zedekiah sent, and took Jeremiah to himself. Concerning the first, four things. First he describes the one petitioning, Abdemelech, that is, signifying "servant of the king"; which he says on account of humility. Rom. 1: Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, etc. An Ethiopian, on account of the mortification of the flesh. Ps. 67: Ethiopia shall hasten her hands unto God. Cant. 1: I am black, but beautiful. A man, on account of strength of soul; a eunuch, on account of chastity. Matt. 19: there are eunuchs who have castrated themselves for the kingdom of heaven. Who was in the house of the king, Phil. 3: our conversation is in the heavens. Wis. 3: the eunuch who has not wrought iniquity with his hands, nor thought most wicked things against God: for to him shall be given the choice gift of faith, and a most acceptable lot in the temple of God. Secondly he sets down the petition, designating the place of the petition: now the king was sitting in the gate of Benjamin, which namely led into the tribe of Benjamin. And he sets down the petition, and Abdemelech went out from the house of the king, and spoke to the king (...) for there is no more bread in the city; as if to say: from the time he was shut in, the bread failed. Or, it was not necessary for him to be shut in, since we are all besieged, and in want. Wis. 11: by what things a man sins, by the same also he is tormented. Thirdly, the obtaining is set down: and so the king commanded. Fourthly, the execution is set down: Abdemelech, therefore, taking men with him, entered the house of the king (...) and took from there old rags and worn-out things that had rotted, on account of the tribulations which they endured. Heb., last chapter: remember the leaders who have spoken to you the word of God; considering the end of their conversation, imitate their faith. Or because, literally, they are softer. By the cords, the precepts of God. Eccl. 4: a threefold cord is broken with difficulty. In the vestibule of the prison, that is, in the court. For the vestibule is called the house before the king's chamber, where garments are kept: whence every court is called a vestibule.”

“Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian,.... Being affected with the case of the prophet; and repenting of the leave he had given the princes to do with him as they pleased, gave orders as follows: saying, take from hence thirty men with thee; from the place where the king was, the gate of Benjamin; where very probably at this time was a garrison of soldiers, thirty of which were ordered to be taken; or these were to be taken out of the king's bodyguard, he had here with him. Josephus (w) calls them thirty of the king's servants, such as were about the king's person, or belonged to his household; and so the Syriac version of Jer 38:11 says that Ebedmelech took with him men of the king's household; but why thirty of them, when three or four might be thought sufficient to take up a single man out of a dungeon? Abarbinel thinks the dungeon was very deep, and Jeremiah, ah old man, could not be got out but with great labour and difficulty. Jarchi and Kimchi say, the men were so weakened with the famine, that so many were necessary to draw out one man; but the true reason seems rather to be, that should the princes, whom the king might suspect, or any other, attempt to hinder this order being put in execution, there might be a sufficient force to assist in it, and repel those that might oppose it: and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon before he die; the king speaks honourably of Jeremiah, giving him his title as a prophet, and expresses great concern for him; and orders them to hasten the taking him up, lest he should die before, which he suggests would give him great concern. (w) Antiqu. l. 10. c. 7. sect. 5.”

“with thee--Hebrew, "in thine hand," that is, at "thy disposal" (Sa1 16:2). "From hence," that is, from the gate of Benjamin where the king was sitting (Jer 38:7). thirty men--not merely to draw up Jeremiah, but to guard Ebed-melech against any opposition on the part of the princes (Jer 38:1-4), in executing the king's command. Ebed-melech was rewarded for his faith, love, and courage, exhibited at a time when he might well fear the wrath of the princes, to which even the king had to yield (Jer 39:16-18).”