Jeremiah had told Baruch that his life should be given for a prey, and here we find certain of the people were preserved, Jeremiah 45:5. It was the mercy of God, in the midst of judgment, to incline the King of Babylon to preserve some of the people, and to have Gedaliah, a faithful man, made Governor. And no doubt many of the faithful availed themselves of his mild government. But yet we see, even in the midst of judgments, as in the case of Ishmael, how evil men will exercise their dreadful purposes. What became of those who upon this event fled to Egypt, is not said. Perhaps the Lord had some gracious design in the permission. See Isaiah in that sweet prophecy, Isaiah 19:18-25.
2 Kings 25:22-26
22 And as for the people that remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, ruler.
23 And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
24 And Gedaliah sware to them, and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you.
25 But it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, of the seed royal,g came, and ten men with him, and smote Gedaliah, that he died, and the Jews and the Chaldees that were with him at Mizpah.
26 And all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose, and came to Egypt: for they were afraid of the Chaldees.