Then rose up certain of the elders of the land, and spake to all the assembly of the people, saying,
After the priests and the prophets demanded Jeremiah's death, certain of the elders of the land rose up before the whole assembly of the people to speak in his defense. They recalled the earlier precedent in which King Hezekiah, on hearing Micah's warning, feared the Lord and sought His favor rather than putting the prophet to death. By that example they urged the people not to kill Jeremiah, lest by such an act they bring disaster upon themselves.
After the priests and the prophets demanded Jeremiah's death, certain of the elders of the land rose up before the whole assembly of the people to speak in his defense. They recalled the earlier precedent in which King Hezekiah, on hearing Micah's warning, feared the Lord and sought His favor rather than putting the prophet to death. By that example they urged the people not to kill Jeremiah, lest by such an act they bring disaster upon themselves.