At this stage Jeremiah has been under arrest for many days.
The conditions described in Jeremiah 37:21 suggest that by now the Babylonians have also returned and the city is once again under siege. We are also told that his place of imprisonment was a dungeon cell.
This appears to be a pit that is dug for storing water or food such as grain; a dark, damp hole in the ground1.
King Zedekiah is well aware of what has happened to the prophet, and he sends for Jeremiah to be brought to him. He then questions the prophet secretly in his house.
He asks Jeremiah if there is any word from the Lord. Zedekiah is clearly concerned about what lies ahead for Jerusalem now that the Babylonians have returned. He also recognizes that Jeremiah is a true prophet and once again wants some sort of help and insight from him, but he questions him in secret. Zedekiah is fearful of the pro-Egyptian party in Jerusalem who are violently opposed to Jeremiah and his message. He is a king who is not ruled by his convictions, but by fear of those around him2.
17 King Zedekiah sent for him and received him. The king questioned him secretly in his house and said, “Is there any word from the LORD?” Jeremiah said, “There is.” Then he said, “You shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”