Background:
Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, reigned from 597 to 586 BC. He was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar II, king of Babylon, after the exile of Jehoiachin. Zedekiah's reign was marked by political instability, rebellion against Babylonian rule, and the looming threat of Jerusalem's destruction. The prophet Jeremiah, a contemporary of Zedekiah, was a vocal critic of the king's policies and a proponent of submission to Babylon as a divine mandate.

The Secret Consultation:
The secret consultation between Zedekiah and Jeremiah is recorded in Jeremiah 37:17 and 38:14-28. This event highlights the tension between Zedekiah's political pressures and his awareness of Jeremiah's prophetic authority.

Jeremiah 37:17 : "Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance to the house of the LORD. 'I am going to ask you something,' said the king to Jeremiah. 'Do not hide anything from me.'"

Zedekiah's request for a private audience with Jeremiah underscores his desperation and the clandestine nature of their meeting. Despite his public opposition to Jeremiah's message, Zedekiah sought the prophet's counsel, indicating an internal conflict and recognition of Jeremiah's connection to God.

Jeremiah 38:14-16 : "Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance to the house of the LORD. 'I am going to ask you something,' said the king to Jeremiah. 'Do not hide anything from me.' Jeremiah replied, 'If I tell you, you will surely put me to death; and even if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.' But King Zedekiah swore an oath secretly to Jeremiah: 'As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not put you to death or deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life.'"

Zedekiah's oath to protect Jeremiah reveals his fear of the political and social repercussions of Jeremiah's prophecies. The king's assurance of safety to Jeremiah reflects his internal struggle and the weight of the prophetic word, despite his inability to act upon it.

Jeremiah's Counsel:
Jeremiah's message to Zedekiah was consistent with his previous prophecies: surrender to the Babylonians to save the city and his own life. Jeremiah 38:17-18 states, "Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: If you indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then your life will be spared, and this city will not be burned down; you and your household will live. But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be handed over to the Chaldeans, who will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.'"

Jeremiah's counsel was clear and direct, emphasizing the consequences of disobedience to God's command. The prophet's unwavering message highlights the divine authority behind his words and the impending judgment on Jerusalem.

Zedekiah's Response:
Despite Jeremiah's warning, Zedekiah's fear of his officials and the potential backlash from the people prevented him from heeding the prophet's advice. Jeremiah 38:19 records Zedekiah's fear: "But King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, 'I am afraid of the Jews who have gone over to the Chaldeans, for the Chaldeans may hand me over to them to abuse me.'"

Zedekiah's response illustrates his lack of faith and trust in God's protection, choosing instead to rely on his own understanding and political maneuvering. His failure to act on Jeremiah's counsel ultimately led to the fall of Jerusalem and his own tragic end.

Significance:
Zedekiah's secret consultation with Jeremiah serves as a poignant example of the struggle between political expediency and divine obedience. It underscores the importance of heeding God's word, even in the face of fear and uncertainty. The narrative also highlights the role of the prophet as a mouthpiece of God, delivering messages that challenge human authority and call for repentance and submission to divine will.