Jeremiah 41:13

Now it came to pass, that when all the people which were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, then they were glad.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(13) They were glad.—The words are significant as implying the popularity of Gedaliah, and the joy of those who had been under him at seeing the prospect of his murder being avenged. They at once took refuge with the leader of the avenging party.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

41:11-18 The success of villany must be short, and none can prosper who harden their hearts against God. And those justly lose comfort in real fears, who excuse themselves in sin by pretended fears. The removal of a prudent and peaceable ruler, and the succession of another who is rash and ambitious, affects the welfare of many. Only those are happy and steady who fear the Lord and walk in his ways.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

An open pool still exists at Gibeon, and a large subterranean reservoir fed by a copious natural spring. Gibeon is about two miles north of Mizpah.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13. glad—at the prospect of having a deliverer from their captivity.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

To see a probability of their escape out of the hands of this bloody man, who had slain so many of their brethren.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Now it came to pass, that, when all the people which were with Ishmael,.... That is, those which he had brought captives from Mizpah; not those that came with him thither:

saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, they were glad; looking upon them as their deliverers; hoping by their means to be preserved from being carried captives to the king of Ammon.

Geneva Study Bible

Now it came to pass, that when all the people which were with Ishmael saw Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces that were with him, then they were glad.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Jeremiah 41:13

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

When those who had been carried off by Ishmael saw these captains, they were glad, since they had followed their captor merely because they were forced to do so. They all turned, and went over to Johanan; but Ishmael escaped from Johanan, with eight men, - having thus lost two in the fight with Johanan, - and went to the Ammonites.