Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 34:8

8 ¶ This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah, had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem to proclaim liberty unto them .

This verse plainly beginneth a new Prophesie, but at what particular time, this Revelation, or the publication of it was, we are not told only the occasion of it is recorded. God had made a particular Law respecting the Jewish Nation. That if any had bought an Hebrew servant, he should serve but six years, and in the seventh should go out free, Exod. 21.2. Deut. 15.12. It came into Zedekiahs mind to make a Proclamation for the execution of this Law, what moved him to it we have not recorded. The learned Author of the English Annotations, observeth well that it was their usual course when they were in some great straits to make some partial Reformation, Iud. 10.15, 16. Psal. 78.34, 35. Hos. 6.1.