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Jeremiah 37 · Grade 5

A King Who Asked but Would Not Obey

Name Date

Read and Think

Jeremiah 37 opens with a summary of Zedekiah's reign. But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, listened to Yahweh's words. Zedekiah wanted God's help without God's word. When Pharaoh's army approached, the Babylonians lifted the siege, and Zedekiah sent messengers asking Jeremiah to pray. God's reply crushed any false hope. Even if Judah defeated the whole army of the Chaldeans, the wounded men would rise up and burn the city.

When Jeremiah tried to leave the city to claim his share of property in Benjamin, the captain Irijah arrested him as a deserter. Jeremiah protested, That is false! I am not defecting to the Chaldeans. The princes, who already resented his message, beat him and threw him into a dungeon cell.

Zedekiah's secret meeting reveals a tragic man. He asked, Is there any word from Yahweh? and Jeremiah answered honestly, at great personal risk. Zedekiah feared his officials more than he feared God, so he sought truth privately but would not act on it publicly. Still, he showed Jeremiah some kindness, moving him to the court of the guard with a daily loaf of bread. God preserved his prophet even as the city's food ran out.

Show What You Know

  1. What did Zedekiah want without God's word?

  2. Why did Jeremiah try to leave the city?

  3. Whom did Zedekiah fear more than God?

  4. How did God preserve Jeremiah?

Crossword

2143

Across

  1. They gave him daily a loaf of bread out of the ____.
  2. Then Zedekiah the ____ sent and had him brought out.
  3. ____ now to Yahweh our God for us.

Down

  1. Thus ____ remained in the court of the guard.
  2. Until all the ____ in the city was gone.

Think About It

  1. What is the danger of wanting God's help but not God's word?

  2. How can fear of other people keep someone from obeying what they know is true?

Memory Verse

Moreover Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, “How have I sinned against you, against your servants, or against this people, that you have put me in prison?

Jeremiah 37:18 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being with me in hard places. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • Why is telling the truth brave?
  • When can you tell the truth this week?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.