Jeremiah 39:16-18
16. Go—not literally, for he was in confinement, but figuratively.
before thee—in thy sight.17. the men of whom thou art afraid— (Jer 38:1, 4-6). The courtiers and princes hostile to thee for having delivered Jeremiah shall have a danger coming so home to themselves as to have no power to hurt. Heretofore intrepid, he was now afraid; this prophecy was therefore the more welcome to him.
18. life . . . for a prey—(See on Jer 21:9; Jer 38:2; Jer 45:5).
put . . . trust in me— (Jer 38:7-9). Trust in God was the root of his fearlessness of the wrath of men, in his humanity to the prophet (1Ch 5:20; Ps 37:40). The "life" he thus risked was to be his reward, being spared beyond all hope, when the lives of his enemies should be forfeited ("for a prey").
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