John Trapp on Jeremiah 40:14

Ver. 14. That Baalis the King of the Ammonites] Set on work by Beelzebub the prince of devils to hinder ſo good a work.

But Gedaliah—believed them not] No more did Julius Caeſar thoſe that forewarned him of the conſpiracy againſt him. The Duke of Guiſe the ſame day that he was ſlain by the command of Henry the third King of France, had a ſcrol laid under his napkin, as he ſat at dinner, wherein was witten, That his life was in danger: he under-wrot They dare not; Speed. 1212. and ſo threw it from him under the table. But it proved that they both durſt do it, and did do it, the ſame day. Gedaliah, likely, thought that Iſhmael durſt not attempt any thing againſt him, becauſe of the Babylonians: beſides he knew his own innocency, and Iſmaels pretended familiarity with him; which he might think the other Captains envyed. Sure it is, that good Gedaliah was too ſecure. Nam qui omnia credit, & qui nihil credit, ex aequo peccat. It is no leſſe a fault to believe nothing,Seneca. then to believe every thing; ſine vano publica fama, Reports are neither to be overheeded, nor over-ſlighted: eſpecially where life is concerned.