Jeremiah 40

8. Netophathite--from Netophah, a town in Judah ( 2 Samuel 23:28 ).
Maachathite--from Maachathi, at the foot of Mount Hermon ( Deuteronomy 3:14 ).

9. Fear not--They were afraid that they should not obtain pardon from the Chaldeans for their acts. He therefore assured them of safety by an oath.
serve--literally, "to stand before" ( Jeremiah 40:10 , Jeremiah 52:12 ), that is, to be at hand ready to execute the commands of the king of Babylon.

10. Mizpah--lying on the way between Babylon and Judah, and so convenient for transacting business between the two countries.
As for me . . . but ye--He artfully, in order to conciliate them, represents the burden of the service to the Chaldeans as falling on him, while they may freely gather their wine, fruits, and oil. He does not now add that these very fruits were to constitute the chief part of the tribute to be paid to Babylon: which, though fruitful in corn, was less productive of grapes, figs, and olives [HERODOTUS, 1.193]. The grant of "vineyards" to the "poor" ( Jeremiah 39:10 ) would give hope to the discontended of enjoying the best fruits ( Jeremiah 40:12 ).

11. Jews . . . in Moab--who had fled thither at the approach of the Chaldeans. God thus tempered the severity of His vengeance that a remnant might be left.

13. in the fields--not in the city, but scattered in the country ( Jeremiah 40:7 ).

14. Baalis--named from the idol Baal, as was often the case in heathen names.
Ammonites--So it was to them that Ishmael went after murdering Gedaliah ( Jeremiah 41:10 ).
slay--literally, "strike thee in the soul," that is, a deadly stroke.
Ishmael--Being of the royal seed of David ( Jeremiah 41:1 ), he envied Gedaliah the presidency to which he thought himself entitled; therefore he leagued himself with the ancient heathen enemy of Judah.
believed . . . not--generous, but unwise unsuspiciousness ( Ecclesiastes 9:16 ).

16. thou speakest falsely--a mystery of providence that God should permit the righteous, in spite of warning, thus to rush into the trap laid for them! Isaiah 57:1 suggests a solution.