King Tzidkiyahu requests of Yirmiyahu to pray on behalf of the city, which is under siege, and Yirmiyahu refuses to do so. This scenario is reminiscent of Hizkiyahu’s request of Yishyahu to pray when the city is facing an Assyrian siege. While Yishyahu answers Hizkiyahu’s request affirmatively, Yirmiyahu refuses Tzidkiyahu’s request.
This difference is reflected in the circumstances surrounding the request. Unlike Hizkiyahu, who performs actions of repair and repentance, rending his garments and going to the Temple, Tzidkiyahu contents himself with sending messengers to Yirmiyahu with the request to repeat the miracle from the days of Hizkiyahu. Whereas Hizkiyahu sets God's honor in the center and prays for the cessation of the insults hurled at God by the king of Ashur, Tzidkiyahu asks Yirmiyahu to pray for him and the people.
When the Babylonian siege is lifted due to Egyptian intervention - an event that was viewed as miraculous, but was ultimately temporary - Yirmiyahu attempts to leave the city fearing he would be arrested as a false prophet. He fails to leave and is accused of attempting to defect to the enemy by none other than the grandson of Hananya ben Azzur. This accusation reflects the perception of officials and princes of Jerusalem, who saw Yirmiyahu as a traitor who was helping the Babylonians against his people. This fundamental misunderstanding of the people and their ministers concerning Yirmiyahu's objectives has accompanied Yirmiyahu throughout his mission.
