ירמיהו, פרק ל״ה, פסוק י״א

Members of the Rechabite family were known for their nomadic lifestyle, strictly avoiding settling in cities or living in permanent houses. Yet, the sudden terror of war and the march of invading armies forced them to temporarily alter their ancient customs and seek shelter within the fortified walls of the capital.

The primary approach among commentators is that their presence inside the houses of Jerusalem was not a willing choice or a rejection of their ancestral traditions. Instead, it was an absolute necessity driven by the immediate threat to their lives. When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded Judah, the Rechabites were gripped by a deep fear of being looted and harmed. In response to the advancing danger, they actively urged and encouraged one another to quickly seek refuge [רד״ק]. They decided to flee from the approaching Chaldean forces, as well as the Aramean army, which had joined the Chaldeans as an auxiliary force during the military campaign [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Ultimately, their stay in Jerusalem was nothing more than a forced, temporary arrangement meant solely to ensure their physical safety [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ].