Jeremiah 38:17, commentary and pictures

The word was given to Zedekiah in a private meeting after the king had sworn not to kill Jeremiah or hand him over to his enemies, declaring God's purpose for Jerusalem. If he would assuredly go forth and surrender to the princes of the king of Babylon, he himself would live, his house would live, the lives of the people would be spared, and this city would not be burned with fire. It was long-suffering mercy remaining open even at that late hour, so that obedience to His counsel could still temper the judgment falling on the city and nation.

He rejected the offer because he thought he had gone too far to turn back, and because he was afraid of the Jews who had gone over to the Chaldeans, afraid of being mocked, afraid for his life, and unwilling to endure the humiliation of publicly accepting the Lord's word through Jeremiah and not fighting Babylon. Though he privately sought God's message, fear of public opinion and weakness against his princes and people kept him from openly obeying. If he had publicly obeyed, his courage could have strengthened the people to stand for what was right and spared Israel fire, carnage, and famine.

Refusing to go out and place himself under God's protection led to the ruin warned of, including the city's capture and burning and danger to his own life. That refusal brought the calamities he had been warned about, even to his being blinded and taken captive to Babylon. His fate in rejecting clear warning and refusing to change course warns those who resist reproof and refuse to humble themselves in repentance.