Moreover Jeremiah said, What have I offended against thee What law have I broken? What injury have I done to thee, or thy people, or government, that ye have put me in prison Have put me into the pit or dungeon, as a malefactor of the worst kind? Where are now your prophets That is, your false prophets? Surely the event has now convinced you, how much they have deceived you: for you see the siege renewed, and the city in imminent danger of being taken. Here we see Jeremiah's confinement in the dungeon had not broken his spirit, or diminished either his zeal or courage in delivering God's message: he still speaks with the greatest boldness, and as one having authority. No doubt he would have been willing, had God called him to it, to seal his testimony with his blood: nevertheless, having so fair an opportunity to obtain relief, he thought it his duty to embrace it, and therefore, with great humility and submissiveness, and in a most respectful manner, presents his supplication, not indeed for an entire deliverance from restraint, which, however, it would not have been unreasonable to ask, but for a less cruel treatment. Then Zedekiah commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison A more agreeable place of confinement; and that they should give him daily a piece of bread, &c. Namely, out of the public stock, (for the prison was within the precincts of the court,) in order that he might not die for want. Until all the bread of the city was spent
Till the famine forced the city to surrender, Jeremiah 52:6. This was the king's first order, but afterward it was reversed, by the importunity of the princes and great men, Jeremiah 38:6, when Jeremiah was again thrown into the dungeon. Though after that he was released from that place, and returned to his former confinement, ibid. Jeremiah 38:28.