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1 The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth foorth the Heauens, and laith the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
2 Behold, I will make Ierusalem a cup of trembling vnto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Iudah and against Ierusalem.
3 ¶ And in that day will I make Ierusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselues with it, shall be cut in pieces; though all the people of the earth bee gathered together against it.
4 In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite euery horse with astonishment, and his rider with madnesse, and I will open mine eyes vpon the house of Iudah, and will smite euery horse of the people with blindnesse.
5 And the gouernours of Iudah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Ierusalem shall be my strength in the Lord of hostes their God.
6 ¶ In that day will I make the gouernours of Iudah like a harth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheafe; and they shall deuoure all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Ierusalem shall bee inhabited againe in her owne place, euen in Ierusalem.
7 The Lord also shall saue the tents of Iudah first, that the glory of the house of Dauid, and the glory of the inhabitants of Ierusalem do not magnifie themselues against Iudah.
8 In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Ierusalem, and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as Dauid; and the house of Dauid shall be as God, as the Angel of the Lord before them.
9 ¶ And it shall come to passe in that day, that I will seeke to destroy all the nations that come against Ierusalem.
10 And I wil powre vpon the house of Dauid, and vpon the inhabitants of Ierusalem the spirit of grace and of supplications, and they shall looke vpon me whom they haue pearced, and they shal mourne for him, as one mourneth for his onely sonne, and shall be in bitternesse for him, as one that is in bitternesse for his first borne.
11 In that day shall there bee a great mourning in Ierusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
12 And the land shal mourne, euery familie apart, the familie of the house of Dauid apart, and their wiues apart, the familie of the house of Nathan apart, and their wiues apart:
13 The familie of the house of Leui apart, and their wiues apart: the familie of Shimei apart, and their wiues apart:
14 All the families that remaine, euery family apart, & their wiues apart.
Punishment of the enemies of Judah. (1-8) Repentance and sorrow of the Jews. (9-14)1-8 Here is a Divine prediction, which will be a heavy burden to all the enemies of the church. But it is for Israel; for their comfort and benefit. It is promised that God will make foolish the counsels, and weaken the courage of the enemies of the church. The exact meaning is not clear; but God often begins by calling the poor and despised; and in that day even the feeblest will resemble David, and be as eminent in courage and every thing good. Desirable indeed is it that the examples and labours of Christians should render them as fire among wood, as a torch in a sheaf, to kindle the flame of Divine love, to spread religion on the right hand and on the left.
9-14 The day here spoken of, is the day of Jerusalem's defence and deliverance, that glorious day when God will appear for the salvation of his people. In Christ's first coming he bruised the serpent's head, and broke all the powers of darkness that fought against God's kingdom among men. In his second coming he will complete their destruction, when he shall put down all opposing rule, principality, and power; and death itself shall be swallowed up in that victory. The Holy Spirit is gracious and merciful, and is the Author of all grace or holiness. He, also, is the Spirit of supplications, and shows men their ignorance, want, guilt, misery, and danger. At the time here foretold, the Jews will know who the crucified Jesus was; then they shall look by faith to him, and mourn with the deepest sorrow, not only in public, but in private, even each one separately. There is a holy mourning, the effect of the pouring out of the Spirit; a mourning for sin, which quickens faith in Christ, and qualifies for joy in God. This mourning is a fruit of the Spirit of grace, a proof of a work of grace in the soul, and of the Spirit of supplications. It is fulfilled in all who sorrow for sin after a godly sort; they look to Christ crucified, and mourn for him. Looking by faith upon the cross of Christ will cause us to mourn for sin after a godly sort.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.