But in the seventh month, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was of royal blood and had been one of the king’s officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah. While they were eating together there, Ishmael and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed as governor over the land.
This event occurs after the fall of Jerusalem, during the Babylonian exile. Gedaliah was appointed by the Babylonians as governor over the remaining people in Judah.
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Fulfilled inJeremiah 40:13-16
The assassination of Gedaliah was foretold by Johanan son of Kareah in Jeremiah 40:13-16, who warned Gedaliah about Ishmael's intentions, but Gedaliah did not believe him.
This event demonstrates the ongoing turmoil and instability in Judah following the Babylonian conquest, highlighting the consequences of disobedience to God and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings.