ZEFANIABIBLE_BIBLE_BOOK_NAME_12 25:22
the Remnant Flee to Egypt 2Ki 25:22-30 Thus at last the city, which had been full of people, sat solitary, bewailed by Jeremiah in exquisite elegies. The poorest only were left, under Gedaliah, the constant friend to Jeremiah. See Jer 40:6 . His brief rule brought a gleam of light, a transient relief from the long monotony of disaster and despair. But the dastardly murder of this noble man by Ishmael, who was jealous of him, added the last bitter ingredient to the already bitter cup of the harried remnant, Jer 40:1-16 ; Jer 41:1-18 . Notwithstanding Jeremiah’s earnest protestations, they finally deserted their own land, and settled in Egypt, Jer 44:1 . Thus ended the kingdom of Judah, and thereafter the Jews became a scattered people. Though the return under Ezra seemed likely to renew their kingdom, this also was a transient dream which ended in their final overthrow in a.d. 70. Note how pathetically, in his last paragraph, the chronicler snatches at the one small crumb of comfort left, in the pity providentially shown to Jehoiachin by the Babylonian king. God had not forgotten the sure mercies of David! For Review Questions, see the e-Sword Book Comments.