A Secret Royal Inquiry Moves Jeremiah to the Guard Court

After many days in the dungeon, Zedekiah asks privately, Is there any word from the LORD?

When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and he had remained there many days, then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.

The secret inquiry wants a new word. The old word is repeated. Privacy with a king does not purchase a softer oracle.

Jeremiah pleads his case, and the king moves him to the court of the guard with daily bread

Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, What have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this people, that ye have put me in prison? Where are now your prophets which prophesied, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor against this land?

Therefore hear now, I pray thee, my lord the king: let my petition be accepted, that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan, lest I die there. Zedekiah commands that they commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison. Seeking protection is validated. Secret access, scarce food, and arbitrary detention are not made good.