10. The king’s daughters. Zedekiah’s sons had been killed at Riblah ( 39:6). The daughters had been spared and given over to Gedaliah for his protection. In taking them into his custody and protection, Ishmael was claiming to be the ruling representative of the royal house, according to Eastern custom.
Ammonites. Since they had been allied with Zedekiah (see on 27:3; 39:5), Ishmael felt he could find safety there. Indeed, 40:14 indicates that their king had “sent Ishmael” to murder Gedaliah.