And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath-je'arim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah:
As the flight and capture of Urijah must have occupied some time, "the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim" (Jeremiah 26:1) must not mean the very beginning, but the second or third year of his eleven years' reign.
And there was also - perhaps connected with Jeremiah 26:24, as the comment of the writer, not the continuation of the speech of the elders: "And although there was also a man that prophesied ... Urijah," who was put to death by Jehoiakim (proving how great was the danger in which Jeremiah stood, and how wonderful the providence of God in preserving him); "nevertheless the hand of Ahikam was with Jeremiah, that they should not ... put him to death" (Glassius). The context, however, implies rather that the words are the continuation of the previous speech of the elders. They adduce another instance besides that of Micah, though of a different kind, namely, that of Urijah. He suffered for his prophecies; but they imply, though they do not venture to express it, that thereby sin has been added to sin, and that it has done no good to Jehoiakim, for that the notorious condition of the state at this time shows that a heavier vengeance is impending if they persevere in such acts of violence (Calvin).