Jeremiah 21:1-2

Inquire, I pray thee, of the Lord for us.

A distressed king seeks Divine counsel

Of Galba the emperor, as also of our Richard III, it is recorded that they were bad men but good princes. We cannot say so much of Zedekiah. Two things he is chiefly charged with--

1. That he brake his oath and faith plighted to the King of Babylon (Ezekiel 17:16).

2. That he humbled not himself before Jeremiah, speaking from the mouth of the Lord. Hitherto he had not: but now in his distress he seeketh to this prophet; yea, sendeth an embassage. Kings care not for soldiers, said a great commander, till their crowns hang on the one side of their heads. Sure it is that some of them slight God’s ministers till they cannot tell what to do without them. (John Trapp.)

Kings have their cares

Kingdoms have their cares, and thrones their thorns. Antigonus cried of his diadem, “O base rag,” not worth taking up at a man’s feet. Julian complained of his own unhappiness in being made emperor. Diocletian laid down the empire as weary of it. Thirty of the ancient kings of this our land, said Capgrave, resigned their crowns; such were their cares, crosses, and emulations. Zedekiah now could gladly have done as much. But since that might not be, he sendeth to Jeremiah, whom in his prosperity he had slighted, and, to gratify his wicked counsellors, wrongfully imprisoned. (John Trapp.)