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Jeremiah 38 · Grade 4

Kindness in the Mud

Name Date

Read and Think

Four officials heard Jeremiah telling people that those who surrendered to Babylon would live. They told the king Jeremiah was weakening the soldiers and asked for his death. Weak Zedekiah gave in, and they lowered Jeremiah into an empty cistern. There was no water, only mud, and Jeremiah sank in the mire.

Ebedmelech, an Ethiopian official in the palace, went boldly to the king at the city gate. He said the men had done evil and that Jeremiah would die there. The king changed his mind. Take from here thirty men with you, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he dies.

Ebedmelech gathered rags and worn-out clothes and let them down on ropes, so the cords would not cut Jeremiah's arms. They pulled him out, and he stayed in the court of the guard. Later Zedekiah met Jeremiah secretly again. Jeremiah urged him to surrender and obey God, but the king was afraid of what people would think.

Show What You Know

  1. Why did the officials want Jeremiah dead?

  2. What did Ebedmelech tell the king?

  3. Why did Ebedmelech use rags and worn-out clothes?

  4. What kept Zedekiah from obeying?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

JeremiahdungeonkingGod
  1. Four officials heard telling people that those who surrendered to Babylon would live.
  2. They told the Jeremiah was weakening the soldiers and asked for his death.
  3. Take from here thirty men with you, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the , before he dies.
  4. Jeremiah urged him to surrender and obey , but the king was afraid of what people would think.

Think About It

  1. Ebedmelech was a foreigner, yet he stood up for God's prophet. What does that teach about courage?

  2. How can you speak up for someone who is being treated unfairly?

Memory Verse

Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take from here thirty men with you, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he dies.”

Jeremiah 38:10 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for people who rescue others. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • Was Ebedmelech brave?
  • Why was the king afraid?

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.