Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 38:2

2 Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this City shall dye by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live: for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live .

As to what is verse 3. it is no more then had for some time been the constant tenour of this Prophets prophesies. The crime seemeth to lye in this, that in such a time of extream danger, he should repeat this prophesie, and also advise the people to leave the City, and shift for themselves, by going out to the Chaldeans, telling them that if they did so, though the City would be lost, and their Estates in it lost, yet they should save their lives, which words might incourage many of low and cowardly spirits to desert their posts; which indeed had been crime sufficient in an ordinary time, and under ordinary circumstances, but was no crime, now that God had revealed his will to the King, Princes and people, that the City should be lost, there lay now no further duty upon any to contribute to its defence, but they were obliged to make as good provisions for themselves as they could; but these wicked Princes believed no such thing, therefore they make this a great charge.