Why would King Zedekiah, who ignored God, privately seek Jeremiah's prophecy in Jeremiah 37:17, and does this align with his other actions?

Historical and Cultural Context

Jeremiah 37:17 records a secret conversation where King Zedekiah asks, “Is there a word from the LORD?”. The historical background places this event in the final years of the kingdom of Judah before the Babylonian conquest (circa late 7th to early 6th century BC). Zedekiah served as a vassal king under Babylon, and his reign was fraught with threats, political pressures, and rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar. Despite ignoring prophetic warnings on multiple occasions (cf. 2 Chronicles 36:11–12), Zedekiah still sought Jeremiah’s counsel—likely driven by mounting fear of Babylonian siege and a flickering hope that God would somehow deliver Judah.

Archaeological discoveries, such as the Lachish Letters (unearthed in the ruins of the city of Lachish), corroborate the context of Babylon’s encroachment and the desperation of Judah’s leaders. These ancient Hebrew ostraca describe military and political conditions consistent with the biblical narrative’s portrayal of the Babylonian threat. They reinforce that the people of Judah were under severe pressure, which helps explain Zedekiah’s desire for any divine message that might alter the course of impending judgment.

Zedekiah’s Inconsistent Approach to God

Zedekiah’s actions appear contradictory: he persistently dismisses God’s commands, yet he covertly seeks Jeremiah’s word. Multiple passages (Jeremiah 21:1–7; 34:1–7; 37:2) depict the king as dismissive toward God’s directives while, at the same time, demonstrating moments of panic-driven faith. This oscillation between dismissing God and asking for divine intervention is consistent with a pattern of halfhearted submission.

In Jeremiah 37:2, we read that neither Zedekiah nor his officials paid heed to “the words the LORD had spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.” Immediately after, in Jeremiah 37:17, Zedekiah still inquires privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?”. This shows a wavering stance. Even those who refuse certain prophets or doctrines may seek counsel when the threat of disaster grows unbearable.

Reasons a Disobedient King Would Seek Prophetic Counsel

1. Fear of Political Turmoil

Scripture indicates that Zedekiah was under immense pressure due to the Babylonian siege (Jeremiah 34:6–7). When crisis loomed, even previously disobedient rulers would often consult prophets in hopes of a last-minute reversal of fortune. Fear can be a powerful motivator, compelling even the most resistant individuals to look for divine help.

2. Social and Cultural Expectations

In ancient Judah, it was understood that prophets spoke on behalf of God. Leaders often sought out prophets (1 Kings 22:5–8) for divine insight into wars, alliances, and national crises. Zedekiah’s request aligns with the cultural norm of seeking the prophet’s word before or during conflict, even if the king himself did not consistently honor what that prophet said.

3. Personal Doubt and Guilt

Individuals can struggle with internal conflicts between their actions and their understanding of God’s authority. Zedekiah may have experienced an underlying awareness of his wrongdoing and a desire to stave off judgment. When one is confronted with imminent danger, feelings of guilt about disobedience and the longing for reassurance or repentance can arise.

4. Desire for a Favorable Message

Zedekiah likely hoped Jeremiah would proclaim a more comforting or triumphant oracle. In Jeremiah 37:17, Jeremiah plainly affirms, “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”. This prophecy indicates God’s judgment was certain, contradicting Zedekiah’s desire for a positive forecast. Nevertheless, the king’s approach to Jeremiah shows he still preferred to hear from him rather than remain in the dark.

Consistency with Zedekiah’s Other Recorded Actions

Zedekiah’s behavior in Jeremiah 37:17 is entirely consistent with his broader actions throughout Scripture. Sources in 2 Kings 24:18–20 and Jeremiah 52 also reflect a king who routinely resisted God’s commands through Jeremiah but occasionally relented in panic.

One notable example is Jeremiah 38:14–28, where Zedekiah secretly meets Jeremiah again, seeking counsel for survival. The king’s pattern of private inquiries contrasts with his failure to implement the prophet’s advice publicly. He displayed moments of acknowledgment of God’s power and truth, but never committed fully. The outcome—Jerusalem’s fall and his eventual demise—fulfills Jeremiah’s repeated warnings that disobedience carries serious consequences.

Reflections on the Human Tendency Toward Inconsistent Faith

Behaviorally, the oscillation between seeking God when desperate and ignoring Him when comfortable is not limited to Zedekiah. It underscores a universal tendency in human nature to look for divine help in extreme circumstances while disregarding devotion and obedience when life appears manageable. This mirrors historical and modern examples of individuals who hold God at a distance yet suddenly become open to spiritual truths when confronted with distress.

Philosophically, it demonstrates the fragility of superficial faith—a stance fixated on immediate relief rather than enduring transformation. People can crave divine counsel in a crisis, yet remain unwilling to submit their lives fully under God’s authority.

Biblical and Apologetic Notes on Reliability

The record of King Zedekiah’s vacillations, set against Jeremiah’s unfaltering prophetic ministry, is richly attested within the Old Testament manuscript tradition. Textual evidence across the Masoretic Text, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and ancient translations (e.g., the Septuagint) consistently preserves the same portrayal: a king under Babylonian oppression, seeking counsel from God’s prophet, yet failing to heed the instructions. Researchers such as William F. Albright have emphasized the historical veracity of the events around Jerusalem’s fall to Babylon, supported by archaeological evidence like the Babylonian Chronicles.

Further, the consistent transmission of these accounts—together with their alignment with external records—reinforces the historical reliability of the Bible. Archaeological sites in and around Jerusalem confirm the destruction layers matching the biblical account of Babylon’s siege, dovetailing with Jeremiah’s prophecies.

Conclusion

In Jeremiah 37:17, Zedekiah’s private request for a message from God, despite his overall disregard for divine warnings, reflects the king’s desire for deliverance at a time of grave crisis. It also manifests a broader human inclination: resorting to God’s prophet when trouble looms, while otherwise maintaining spiritual distance or outright disobedience.

These actions correspond with Zedekiah’s wider narrative. He repeatedly looked to Jeremiah for a miraculous reprieve but ignored the prophet’s counsel in daily governance. His paradox illustrates how superficial appeals to God fail to alter the course of judgment or deepen one’s commitment to truth. The Scripture’s detailed and historically consistent account of Zedekiah’s wavering underscores the reliability of the biblical text and the importance of genuine obedience to God’s word.