Background:
Jeremiah, often referred to as the "weeping prophet," served as a prophet in Judah during the reigns of the last five kings, including King Zedekiah. His ministry was marked by warnings of impending judgment due to the nation's persistent idolatry and disobedience to God. Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, reigned from 597 to 586 BC and was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. His reign was characterized by political instability and pressure from both Babylon and Egypt.

The Context of the Meeting:
The secret meeting between Jeremiah and Zedekiah occurs during a tumultuous period when Jerusalem is under siege by the Babylonians. Zedekiah, despite being a king, finds himself in a precarious position, torn between the demands of his officials and the prophetic warnings of Jeremiah. The prophet had consistently urged submission to Babylon as God's ordained instrument of judgment, a message that was unpopular and seen as treasonous by many in the royal court.

The Meeting:
The account of the secret meeting is found in Jeremiah 38:14-28. Zedekiah, seeking guidance, sends for Jeremiah and meets him at the third entrance to the house of the LORD. This clandestine setting underscores the king's fear of his officials and the controversial nature of Jeremiah's prophecies.

Jeremiah 38:14-16 :
"Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance to the house of the LORD. 'I am going to ask you something,' said the king to Jeremiah. 'Do not hide anything from me.' Jeremiah replied, 'If I tell you, you will surely put me to death. And even if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.' But King Zedekiah swore an oath secretly to Jeremiah: 'As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not put you to death or deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life.'"

The Message:
Jeremiah delivers a message of hope contingent upon obedience. He tells Zedekiah that if he surrenders to the Babylonians, his life will be spared, and the city will not be burned. However, if he refuses, the city will fall, and he will not escape. This message is consistent with Jeremiah's earlier prophecies, emphasizing submission to Babylon as the path to survival.

Jeremiah 38:17-18 :
"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, who will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.'"

Zedekiah's Fear:
Despite the clarity of Jeremiah's message, Zedekiah is plagued by fear. He expresses concern about being handed over to the Jews who have defected to the Babylonians, fearing they will mistreat him. Jeremiah reassures him that obedience to God's command will ensure his safety.

Jeremiah 38:19-20 :
"But King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, 'I am afraid of the Jews who have gone over to the Chaldeans, for the Chaldeans may deliver me into their hands to abuse me.' 'They will not hand you over,' Jeremiah replied. 'Obey the voice of the LORD in what I am telling you, that it may go well with you and you may live.'"

The Aftermath:
Despite Jeremiah's counsel, Zedekiah's fear and lack of faith lead him to reject the prophet's advice. The king's decision ultimately results in the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the temple, and his own capture and humiliation by the Babylonians. This meeting highlights the tragic consequences of disobedience and the importance of heeding God's word through His prophets.