Because of the Chaldeans: for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.
Ver. 18. Because of the Chaldeans, for they were afraid of them.] But they should rather have "sanctified the Lord God in their hearts, and made him their dread." Isa 8:13 "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." Pro 29:25 See Trapp on " Pro 29:25 "
Because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah.] And together with him many Chaldeans, whom Johanan and his captains should have cautioned and better guarded; as the king of Babylon would better tell them, they thought, and with it to punish them for their neglect. a
a Ob incastodiam.