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 spiritual decline. The prophet Jeremiah, a contemporary of Zedekiah, was called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. Despite the clarity of Jeremiah's prophecies, Zedekiah often vacillated between seeking Jeremiah's counsel and succumbing to the pressures of his officials and the people.

The Secret Meeting:
The secret meeting between Zedekiah and Jeremiah is recorded in Jeremiah 38:14-28. This encounter occurs during the final siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. Zedekiah, fearful of the impending destruction and seeking guidance, summons Jeremiah to the third entrance of the house of the LORD for a private consultation.

Scriptural Account:
In Jeremiah 38:14-16 , the narrative begins: "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.'"

Jeremiah's Counsel:
Jeremiah faithfully delivers God's message to Zedekiah, urging him to surrender to the Babylonians to save his life and the city. In Jeremiah 38:17-18 , Jeremiah says, "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, and they will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.'"

Zedekiah's Fear:
Despite the clarity of Jeremiah's message, Zedekiah is plagued by fear. He expresses his concern in Jeremiah 38:19 : "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.'"

Jeremiah's Assurance:
Jeremiah reassures Zedekiah, urging him to trust in the LORD's promise of safety if he obeys. In Jeremiah 38:20 , Jeremiah responds, "They will not hand you over,' Jeremiah replied. 'Obey the voice of the LORD in what I am telling you, that it may go well with you and you may live.'"

Outcome:
Despite Jeremiah's counsel and assurance, Zedekiah's fear and lack of faith lead him to reject the prophet's advice. The king's decision ultimately results in the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the temple, and his own capture and humiliation by the Babylonians, as detailed in 2 Kings 25 and Jeremiah 39.

Theological Implications:
Zedekiah's secret meeting with Jeremiah highlights the tension between divine guidance and human fear. It underscores the importance of obedience to God's word, even when faced with daunting circumstances. The narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of ignoring prophetic counsel and the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations.