Ebed-Melech

Jerem. xxxviii. 6, 7, 8, &c.EBED-MELECH, the Eunuch or Servant of King Zedekiah. He being informed that Jeremiah was imprisoned in a place full of dirt and infection, informed the King of it by the particular order of the principal persons in Jerusalem; and withal told him, that this Prophet would be starved there, because there began to be great want of bread in the City. Zedekiah therefore commanded Ebed -melech to take thirty men with him, and deliver the Prophet out of the place of his confinement. Hereupon this Officer took some old rags, and let them down with cords to Jeremiah, who placed them under his arms, to prevent any hurt which he might otherwise receive from the ropes: in this manner Ebed-melech drew him up out of the dungeon. But the Prophet was not restored to perfect liberty; for he still remained shut up in the court of the prison. God did not suffer this act of charity to pass unrewarded: for while Jeremiah was still confined in the prison-court, he said one day Jerem. xxxix. 15, 16.to Ebed-melech; Thus saith the Lord, Behold I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee. But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the Lord, and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men, of whom thou art afraid; because thou hast put thy trust in me. Accordingly, after the taking of the City by Nabuzaradan, Ebed-melech was preserved. In the year of the World 3416, before Jesus Christ 584, before the Vulgar Æra 588.

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