ירמיהו, פרק מ׳, פסוק ט׳

In the wake of national defeat, the remaining army captains and their men face deep uncertainty about living under foreign control. Gedaliah steps forward to offer them a solemn oath of loyalty, promising that no harm will come to them under his leadership [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. He actively seeks to calm their anxieties about surrendering to the new authorities, as the people harbor several distinct fears regarding their submission. Some worry that the conquerors will seek revenge for their past military resistance [ביאור שטיינזלץ], while others fear the crushing weight of hard labor that might be forced upon them [מצודת דוד]. An additional concern stems from the humiliation of the situation, as the people dread being subjugated to the common Chaldean masses, effectively becoming slaves to other slaves [מלבי״ם].

To counter these fears, Gedaliah instructs the people to settle the land and serve the King of Babylon, assuring them that this path will ensure their well-being. He explains that if they offer loyal service, the king will not impose a heavy burden upon them [מצודת דוד]. Moreover, pledging devotion directly to the King of Babylon serves as a powerful security guarantee. The king will extend his personal protection over them, shielding the people from the unpredictable anger of the foreign mobs [מלבי״ם]. Gedaliah also reassures them that the king is not looking to settle old scores. His primary objective was simply to break the political strength of the Judean state. With his business in the land concluded, he has no further interest in harassing the surviving population [ביאור שטיינזלץ].