ירמיהו, פרק מ״א, פסוק ט״ו

The conclusion of this violent episode exposes the true limitations and hidden motives of Ishmael son of Nethaniah. Forced to run for his life, he escapes the confrontation accompanied by only eight of his men [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. His sudden flight from Johanan happens because he simply lacks the manpower to stand against a real army. While Ishmael proved to be an effective assassin, he is not a military commander equipped for open warfare. Recognizing his inability to fight a direct battle, he takes advantage of the surrounding chaos to slip away [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

His chosen destination provides crucial insight into the broader political picture. By fleeing to the territory of the Ammonites, Ishmael reveals that he likely never acted on his own initiative. Instead, he operated as a direct agent of the Ammonite king, carrying out his specific orders. Once he successfully completes his assigned mission of destroying the Chaldean stronghold in Judah, he and his men simply return to the foreign ruler who sent them [ביאור שטיינזלץ].