The cowardly king knew these charges were false; but in order to propitiate those who occupied high and influential positions in the nation, he feigned to believe their falsehoods and gave Jeremiah into their hands to do with him as they pleased. Accordingly the prophet was taken and cast “into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.” But God raised up friends for him who besought the king in his behalf and had him again removed to the court of the prison. {4T 182.3}

Den feje konge vidste at disse anklager var falske; men for at formildne embedsmændene i nationens høje og indflydelsesrige stillinger, foregav han at tro deres falsknerier og overgav Jeremias i deres hænder og gøre med ham hvad de behagede. Så blev profeten kastet »i kongesønnen Malkijas cisterne i vagtforgården, idet de hejsede ham ned med reb. Der var ikke vand i cisternen, men dynd og Jeremias sank i dyndet.« Men Gud oprejste venner for ham, som tryglede kongen for hans skyld og fik ham igen flyttet til fængselsafdelingen.