Ebed-Melech [Ē'bed-mē'lĕch]—servant or slave of the king. An Ethiopian eunuch of the palace in Zedekiah’s time who assisted Jeremiah in his release from prison (Jer. 38:7-12; 39:16).

The Man Who Was a Credit to His Class

It is said of Ebed-melech that he was an Ethiopian which means that he was a heathen and one of a despicable type at that time. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin?” No! But this Ethiopian had a transformed moral character, and was a triumph of grace in the clan to which he belonged. The Eastern eunuchs were a pitilessly cruel race, whose delight was to wound and vex. No clan had a worse reputation for cruelty, but here again Ebed-melech was different. He was as kind as the rest of his clan was cruel. Kitto calls him, “The benevolent Eunuch.” Then he is likewise described as a servant of the king. Royal servants were usually a godless company. But Ebed-melech was as faithful a servant to God as he was to king Zedekiah. He loved the prophet Jeremiah and risked his own life to save the man of God.

Among the lessons to be gleaned from the record of this eunuch who was greater than his fellows are:

He was superior to his surroundings.

He put more pretentious people to shame.

He had the courage of his convictions.

He had a kind way of doing kindness.

He achieved a great service with poor instruments.

Old rags and cords! How God can use weak things for the accomplishment of His plan!

His faith in God was the secret of his noble life.

He was divinely rewarded. God is a grand Paymaster.