22 Now as for the people who were left in the land of Judah , whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left , he appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam , the son of Shaphan over them. 23 When all the captains of the forces , they and their men , heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah , namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah , and Johanan the son of Kareah , and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite , and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite , they and their men . 24 Gedaliah swore to them and their men and said to them, "Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans ; live in the land and serve the king of Babylon , and it will be well with you." 25 But it came about in the seventh month , that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah , the son of Elishama , of the royal family , came with ten men and struck Gedaliah down so that he died along with the Jews and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah . 26 Then all the people , both small and great , and the captains of the forces arose and went to Egypt ; for they were afraid of the Chaldeans .
27 Now it came about in the thirty-seventh e year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah , in the twelfth e month , on the twenty-seventh e day of the month , that Evil-merodach king of Babylon , in the year that he became king , released e Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison e ; 28 and he spoke kindly to him and set his throne above e the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon . 29 Jehoiachin changed his prison clothes and had his meals in the king's presence regularly all the days of his life ; 30 and for his allowance , a regular allowance was given him by the king , a portion for each day , all the days of his life .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:22-30
Commentary on 2 Kings 25:22-30
(Read 2 Kings 25:22-30)
The king of Babylon appointed Gedaliah to be the governor and protector of the Jews left their land. But the things of their peace were so hidden from their eyes, that they knew not when they were well off. Ishmael basely slew him and all his friends, and, against the counsel of Jeremiah, the rest went to Egypt. Thus was a full end made of them by their own folly and disobedience; see Jeremiah chap. 40 to 45. Jehoiachin was released out of prison, where he had been kept 37 years. Let none say that they shall never see good again, because they have long seen little but evil: the most miserable know not what turn Providence may yet give to their affairs, nor what comforts they are reserved for, according to the days wherein they have been afflicted. Even in this world the Saviour brings a release from bondage to the distressed sinner who seeks him, bestowing foretastes of the pleasures which are at his right hand for evermore. Sin alone can hurt us; Jesus alone can do good to sinners.