21 and when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Uriah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt:
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
His mighty men - The commanders of his army; the princes are the civil officers.
And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men,.... Either his courtiers, or his soldiers, or both:
and all the princes, heard his words; the words of the Prophet Urijah; not with their own ears very probably, but from the report of others:
the king sought to put him to death; as being a messenger of bad tidings, tending to dispirit his subjects, and allay the joy of his own mind upon his advancement to the throne:
but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt; which some understand as a piece of prudence in him; but rather it was the effect of pusillanimity and cowardice: it seems to show want of faith and confidence in the Lord; and the fear of man, which brings a snare; and besides, it was no piece of prudence to go to Egypt, whatever it was to flee; since there was such an alliance between the kings of Egypt and Judah; and the latter, though dependent on the former, yet the king of Egypt would easily gratify him in delivering up a subject of his, and a person of such a character.
*More commentary available at chapter level.