Jeremiah 42:1
Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near, Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near,
The military leaders and all the people, from the least to the greatest, came together to approach Jeremiah, with Johanan the son of Kareah and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah named among the captains of the forces who drew near. Their coming was to ask Jeremiah for prayer and for God's direction, as told in the following verses, concerning going to Egypt.
The chapter belongs to the account of the Jews left behind after Zedekiah's captivity and their flight into Egypt. The verse falls within the section of Jeremiah covering the history of the two years before Jerusalem fell.
Their later refusal to obey the answer they had requested makes their approach an example of seeking divine counsel without willingness to accept it and of speaking to God without meaning their words. After receiving the direction, they disobeyed it and accused Baruch of influencing Jeremiah against them.