Jeremiah 38:14-2

a. Jeremiah once more tenders solemn advice to the king

The section may be summarized as follows.

(i) Jeremiah 38:14. Zedekiah again seeks counsel from the prophet, who, after demanding and receiving an assurance of immunity, declares that, if the king surrenders, his life and the city shall be spared, whereas otherwise Jerusalem shall be burned, and Zedekiah himself shall not escape. (ii) Jeremiah 38:19 a. The king objects that, if he follow this advice, he will meet personal injury from those Jews who are already in the enemy's hands. The prophet reassures him on this point and renews his urgent counsel in more detail. He pictures the women of the palace, led out in mournful procession by their captors, and chanting a lamentation as they go; while he repeats that the king shall be taken and the city burnt. Zedekiah pledges Jeremiah to secrecy. Accordingly, on being questioned by the princes as to the purport of the interview, he only reports his request not to be sent back to Jonathan's house.