While the princes of Judah were still vainly looking toward Egypt for help, King Zedekiah with anxious foreboding was thinking of the prophet of God that had been thrust into prison. After many days the king sent for him and asked him secretly, "Is there any word from the Lord?" Jeremiah answered, "There is: for, said He, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

Mens Judas fyrster forgæves ventede hjælp fra Ægypten, tænkte kong Zedekias med bange anelser på Guds profet, som var blevet kastet i fængsel. Da der var forløbet nogen tid, sendte kongen bud efter ham og spurgte hemmeligt: "Er der et ord fra Herren?" Jeremias svarede: "Ja, der er: Du skal overgives i Babels konges hånd."