Background:
Jeremiah, often referred to as the "weeping prophet," was a major prophet in the Hebrew Bible who ministered during the final years of the Kingdom of Judah. His prophetic ministry spanned the reigns of several kings, including Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, reigned from 597 to 586 BC and was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. His reign was marked by political instability and the looming threat of Babylonian conquest.

Jeremiah's Role:
Jeremiah's role during Zedekiah's reign was that of a divine messenger, delivering God's warnings and counsel to the king and the people of Judah. Despite the unpopularity of his messages, Jeremiah remained steadfast in his mission, urging repentance and submission to God's will.

Counsel to Zedekiah:
Jeremiah's counsel to King Zedekiah is primarily recorded in the Book of Jeremiah, chapters 21, 34, 37, and 38. The prophet's messages to Zedekiah were consistent in urging submission to Babylon as a means of preserving the nation and avoiding destruction.

1. Submission to Babylon:
In Jeremiah 21:8-9 , the prophet conveys God's message to Zedekiah, offering a choice between life and death: "Furthermore, tell this people that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who besiege you will live and retain his life like a spoil of war.’" Jeremiah's counsel was clear: surrender to the Babylonians to save the city and its inhabitants.

2. Warning of Destruction:
Jeremiah warned Zedekiah of the impending destruction if he refused to heed God's command. In Jeremiah 34:2-3 , the prophet declares, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah and tell him that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I am about to deliver this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down. And you yourself will not escape his grasp, but will surely be captured and delivered into his hand.’"

3. Personal Plea:
In a more personal encounter, Zedekiah secretly sought Jeremiah's counsel, hoping for a favorable word from the LORD. Jeremiah 37:17 records this interaction: "Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, 'Is there a word from the LORD?' 'There is,' Jeremiah replied. 'You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.'"

4. Final Appeal:
In Jeremiah 38:17-18 , Jeremiah makes a final appeal to Zedekiah: "Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, 'This is what the LORD, the God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: If you indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then your life will be spared, and this city will not be burned down; you and your household will live. But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be handed over to the Chaldeans, and they will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.'"

Zedekiah's Response:
Despite Jeremiah's clear and repeated counsel, Zedekiah struggled with fear and indecision. He feared the repercussions of surrender, both from his own officials and from the Babylonians. Ultimately, Zedekiah's failure to heed Jeremiah's counsel led to the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple, and his own capture and humiliation, as recorded in Jeremiah 39.

Significance:
Jeremiah's counsel to Zedekiah serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of obedience to God's word, even when it contradicts human wisdom or political expediency. The narrative underscores the consequences of ignoring divine guidance and the tragic results of placing trust in human alliances over God's sovereign plan.