The Daily RootedHome StoriesGradesChurchesWhat's NewAbout
Bible:
Answer key (separate)‹ Back to chapter 41

Prints on letter paper in black and white. No answers are printed on the student sheet.

Jeremiah 41 · Grade 5

The Fragile Remnant

Name Date

Read and Think

Jeremiah 41 shows how quickly the small hope at Mizpah collapsed. Ishmael son of Nethaniah, of royal blood and backed by the Ammonite king, shared a meal with Gedaliah and then assassinated him, along with Jews and Babylonian soldiers at Mizpah. In the ancient world, betraying someone after sharing their table was an especially shameful act. Ishmael may have resented a governor who was not from David's line and who cooperated with Babylon.

He took the remaining people captive, including the king's daughters entrusted to Gedaliah. Johanan, who had warned Gedaliah, gathered the captains and pursued. At the great waters of Gibeon, the captives saw Johanan and gladly came back to him, while Ishmael fled to the Ammonites.

The rescue did not restore peace. Gedaliah's death left the remnant without the leader Babylon had chosen, and they expected punishment. Johanan led them to Geruth Chimham near Bethlehem, a stop on the road to Egypt. The chapter sets up the decisive question of chapter 42. Would the remnant trust God's word, or their own fears?

Show What You Know

  1. Why was Ishmael's betrayal especially shameful?

  2. Why might Ishmael have resented Gedaliah?

  3. Where were the captives rescued?

  4. What question does the chapter set up?

Crossword

43125

Across

  1. And all the ____ who remained in Mizpah.
  2. And found him by the great ____ that are in Gibeon.

Down

  1. And there they ate bread together in ____.
  2. Whom he had brought back from ____.
  3. And went to ____ the son of Kareah.

Think About It

  1. How can one person's violent choice affect a whole community?

  2. What does it look like to trust God's word when you are afraid of what will happen?

Memory Verse

“So all the people who Ishmael had carried away captive from Mizpah turned about and came back, and went to Johanan the son of Kareah.”

Jeremiah 41:14 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for bringing people back. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • Who helps you when you are afraid?
  • How can you help someone in trouble?
  • 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.