CHAP. II. V. 1, 2. Nabopollasar king of Babylon, or Nebuchadnezzar his son, seems to be here particularly intended, by "The dasher in pieces," to denote his fierceness and success in war. In conjunction with Cyaxares king of Media, he marched his army to besiege Nineveh, with the avowed purpose of subverting the Assyrian empire: and the king and people of Nineveh are here challenged to empley every art of defence, and to exert all their courage and prowess to defend the city against him: yet it would all be in vain. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref . a.- Notes , 3:14. Is . 8:9,10. Jer . 51:20 -24.
Joel 3:9-17. Zeph . 3:8,11-13.) For the Lord would avenge on Nineveh the pride and insolence, which the Assyriankings had shewn to Jacob, when they magnified themselves against them, and grievously oppressed them. They had utterly destroyed the kingdom of Israel, and reduced its inhabitants to slavery in foreign lands: and they had harassed, distressed, and endeavored to ruin the kingdom of Judah. Thus they had gathered and carried off the fruit, and marred the branches of the Lord's vineyard: and he was about to execute vengeance upon them. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . b, c. Is . 10:5-19.)
Hath turned away , &c. (2) "For JEHOVAH restoreth the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel." Bp . Newcombe . "This in'terpretation agrees better with the scope of 'the text, ... and suits very well with the He'brew idiom.' Lowth .
blood without fear or mercy. Their chariots of war glittered like torches, when they were preparing for the assault; and the brandishing of their spears was like the shaking of fir-trees by a terrible tempest. And when they had broken into the city, their chariots would rage and justle, and be driven with speed and fury, like flaming torches or flashes of lightning. The king of Babylon would recount his valiant captains, and order them to the assault; and their numbers, impetuosity, and contempt of danger and difficulty, would cause them to stumble in marching hastily το mount the walls.
Some understand the fifth verse of the Assyrian king and his army. The besieged would prepare with haste and eagerness to defend their walls: but the river Tigris, or other rivers that ran into it, being disregarded, would open the assailants a passage into the city; and, the palace being seized on and destroyed, the city would soon be reduced. It is recorded that an inundation of the Tigris broke down a part of the walls of Nineveh, and thus opened the besiegers a way into the heart of the city. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref . Notes , 3:2,3. Is . 5:26-30. 21:35.45:1-6, vv . 1,2. Jer . 51:27,28.
Zech . 1:8-11, v. 8.)
V.7. "Huzzub" signifies "that which was established." ( Marg .) Some take it for the name of the queen-consort, who would thus be led captive. Perhaps the empire of Assyria, or Nineveh, was poetically represented as a queen, who had been established in great security, but was about to be brought forth, and carried captive to Babylon: and the captivity of the nobles and people of Ninevelı might be represented, by this queen being at
V. 3-6. The soldiers of the confederate kings carried red shields, and wore scarlet garnments, to render their appearance more terri-tended by her maidens, mourning like doves,
and beating their breasts; as a tabret is struck repeatedly by those who play on it. ( Marg . and Marg. Ref . k. Notes , Is . 47:1-10.)
similar destruction, 8--10. Further predictions of her ruin, and of the inefficacy of all methods to prevent it, 11-19.
OE a to the bloody city! it is all WO b full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not;
2 The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots.
3 The horseman lifteth up both the † bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcasses; d and there is none end of their corpses: they stumble upon their corpses.
4 Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the well-favored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts;
5 Behold, I am against thee, saith the
a Ez. 22:2,3. 24:6-9. Hab. 2: Heb. flame of the sword, and 12. Zeph. 3:1-3. the lightning of the spear. 2:4. Gen. 3:24. Hab. 3:11.
* Heb. city of bloods.
b 2:12. Is. 17:14. 42:24. Hos. 4:2.
d Is. 37:36. Ez. 31:3-13.39:4. e Is. 23-15-17, 47:9,12,13. Rev. 17:1-5. 18:3,9,23.
f Sec on 2:13. - Ez. 23:25.
ordered by the just and holy God; who sometimes employs them to correct his people, and at other times to execute vengeance on oppressors and murderers. The consideration of the horrors and miseries of war should
V.8-10. Nineveh had neither been taken, nor put in fear, for many ages: so that it was like an undisturbed pool, or fish-pond, replen-make us thankful for the blessings of peace,
ished with great quantities of fish. But, at the predicted time, the inhabitants, and even the soldiers, would flee before their enemies, and all the efforts of their captains to stop them would be ineffectual. The besiegers might then seize upon their immense treasures, and all their magnificent furniture: for Nineveh would be emptied and desolated, with the extreme terror and anguish of the inhabitants. -The original is peculiarly animated, and in the highest degree poetical. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref .-Notes, 11-13.3:15-17. Gen. 10:8-12, v . 11. Is . 33:1-4. Jer . 48:11. 51:30. Jocl 2:6. Zeph . 2:13-15.)
and excite us to pray for the continuance of them. Yet we ought always to be prepared for troubles, for we know not how soon they may arrive. We should then be careful not to contract habits of effeminacy, delicacy, or selfindulgence; for these disqualify men for enduring hardship, and render poverty or captivity doubly terrible. We ought also to beware of covetousness, ostentation, and magnificence: for what will treasures or glory do for us, in the seasons of extreme distress, or in the day of wrath?
Yet in making such acquisitions for themselves or their families, how many lose their souls!-We should use power or prosperity with gentleness and moderation: for selfishness, arrogance, and inhumanity expose men to the wrath of God, and the hatred of their neighbors also. If the Lord is against any persons or nations, they must soon be rendered miserable, and sink into silence and darkness.
Let us then come to him upon his mercy-seat, that, "having peace with him through our Lord Jesus Christ," we may know that he is for us, and that all things shall work together for our everlasting good. ( Notes , Matt. 16:24-28, v. 26. Rom . 8:28-34.)