Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 38:15

15 Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death ? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me ?

Ieremiah had reason to caution with the King for his life, considering the easie answer of the King to the Princes, moving for his death, verse 4.5. We must imagine Ieremiah at this time under no divine command, to reveal his will in this case unto the King.

Wilt thou not, is here, as much as thou wilt not hearken unto me. Zedekiah had often been advised by the Prophet, but would never take his advice, and the Prophet knew it would be the same case still, that the King would be overruled by a corrupt Court, and his own aversion, to change his state, as a King, for the state of a prisoner.