Jamieson, Fausset and Brown on Jeremiah 42:2

CHAPTER 42

Jr 42:1-22. The Jews and Johanan Inquire of God, through Jeremiah, as to Going to Egypt, Promising Obedience to His Will. Their Safety on Condition of Staying in Judea, and Their Destruction in the Event of Going to Egypt, Are Foretold. Their Hypocrisy in Asking for Counsel Which They Meant Not to Follow, if Contrary to Their Own Determination, Is Reproved.

2. Jeremiah--He probably was one of the number carried off from Mizpah, and dwelt with Johanan (Jr 41:16). Hence the expression is, "came near" (Jr 42:1), not "sent."

Let ... supplication be accepted--literally, "fall" (see on Jr 36:7; Jr 37:20).

pray for us--(Ge 20:7; Is 37:4; Jas 5:16).

thy God--(Jr 42:5). The Jews use this form to express their belief in the peculiar relation in which Jeremiah stood to God as His accredited prophet. Jeremiah in his reply reminds them that God is their God ("your God") as well as his as being the covenant people (Jr 42:4). They in turn acknowledge this in Jr 42:6, "the Lord our God."

few of many--as had been foretold (Le 26:22).