Jeremiah 39:4

French Jerusalem 1998

Dès qu'ils les virent, Sédécias, roi de Juda, et tous ses guerriers s'enfuirent et sortirent de la ville, de nuit, vers le jardin du roi, par la porte entre les deux murs; ils prirent le chemin de la Araba.

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes King Zedekiah and his army fleeing from an approaching enemy at night through a secret route near the city walls. Zedekiah tried to escape the Babylonians by going out of the city through the king's garden and a gate between two walls. The verse highlights the desperate attempt of the king and his men to escape the enemy.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're playing hide-and-seek and you see the seeker coming. You quickly run out the back door and through the garden to hide. That's what King Zedekiah did when he saw the bad guys coming—he ran away at night through the garden to try and escape.

Historical Background

Jeremiah 39:4 is part of the historical narrative within the Book of Jeremiah, written by the prophet Jeremiah around 587 BCE. It documents the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar. The audience was the people of Judah who were experiencing the consequences of their disobedience to God.

Living It Out Today

In modern terms, this verse can be seen as a reminder of the consequences of ignoring advice or warnings. Just like Zedekiah tried to escape the Babylonians, we might try to avoid the consequences of our actions, but sometimes it's better to face the issues head-on.

Topics

• Judgment
• Escape
• War
• Kingdom
• Disobedience
• Consequences

Related Verses

• 2 Kings 25:4
• Ezekiel 12:12
• Jeremiah 37:11
• Jeremiah 52:7
• Ezekiel 12:12

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Zedekiah flee at night?

Zedekiah fled at night to avoid detection by the Babylonians. The darkness provided cover for his escape.

What was the significance of the king's garden?

The king's garden was a strategic location that provided a secret exit from the city, allowing Zedekiah and his men to escape unnoticed.

Why is this event important in the Bible?

This event underscores the themes of judgment and the consequences of disobedience, showing how the people of Judah faced the results of their actions against God.

How does this relate to modern life?

This story can remind us that we often try to avoid facing problems, but like Zedekiah, sometimes the best course is to confront our issues head-on rather than running away.