Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 38:16

16 So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life .

Zedekiah saith nothing to the latter part of Ieremiahs speech, promising nothing as to his hearing and obeying his counsel: As to the former he gives him the security of his Oath, that he would neither himself slay him, by giving any immediate command from himself, nor surrender him up into the hands of those malitious Princes, who he perceived sought his life. The form of his Oath is what was usual, as the Lord liveth, with an addition, the Lord that gave me my life, if I put thee to death, and if I deliver thee, which form carrieth with it a concealed imprecation. Let the Lord do so to me, and more also, or let the Lord that gave me this soul take it from me, if I do either of these things. Thus he secures Jeremiah, as to any hard measure for his telling him the truth, though it should be what might be interpreted a capital crime to publish.

Marginal references: Isa. 57.16.