2 Kings 25:23
“Now when all the captains of the forces, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite, they and their men.”
What does 2 Kings 25:23 mean?
After Jerusalem fell to Babylon, the conquering king appointed Gedaliah as governor to oversee the remaining people left behind. When the scattered military leaders heard about this new arrangement, they gathered to meet with Gedaliah at his headquarters in Mizpah, bringing their followers with them. These commanders, including men like Ishmael and Johanan, were survivors of the conflict who still had troops under their command. The passage shows a moment of cautious regrouping after devastating loss, when the people had to figure out how to live under new circumstances they hadn't chosen.