Ezekiel 19

Ezekiel 19:1

THe princes of Israel] Namely, for Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, last kings of Judah, in whom consisted the remainder of the princes of Israel.

Ezekiel 19:2

What is thy mother] Namely, the mother of every one of these kings, or the royall stock: Or nation of the Jews: Jerusalem wherein you have been born and bred, hath for a long time been a citie of blood and violence: and hath brought forth kings of the same nature.

Ezekiel 19:3

up one of her whelps] Namely, Jehoahaz, who was made king three moneths in Jerusalem, 2 King. 23. 30, 31.

Ezekiel 19:4

he was taken in their pit] Or net: A terine taken from the manner of hunting of Lions. Pharaoh Necho carried him to Egypt, and put him in chaines, 2 Kings 23:33. Of him Jeremie told he should returne no more to his native countrey, but die in Egypt. Jer. 22. 10, 11, 12. So it fell out, 2 Kings 23:34.

Egypt] See 2 Kings 23:34. Jeremiah 22:11-12.

Ezekiel 19:5

when she saw that he had waited] Namely, Jerusalem, when she saw that there was no hope that Jehoahaz should be restored.

another of her whelps] Namely, Jehoiakim, appointed to be King by the King of Egypt, 2 Kings 23:34.

Ezekiel 19:6

he went up and down] A description of Jehoiakims treaties with other Kings, and chiefly with the King of Egypt: which was also the cause of his ruine.

devoured men] He slew of the Prophets, and them that feared God, and ravished their wives.

Ezekiel 19:7

And he knew] That is, Jehoiakim visited and spoiled the palaces of those whom he did destroy, or in hostile manner slew with the sword. Vers. 6.

their desolate palaces] Or, their widows.

he laid wast their cities] Namely, the Cities of his people, by his extortions and violencies, 2 Kings 24:4. Jeremiah 22:17.

noise of his roaring] By his cruel and tyrannicall commands.

Ezekiel 19:8

the nations set against him] 2 Kings 24:2. Nebuchadnezzar with his great armie, which was gathered of divers Nations, 2 Kings 24:2.

and spread their net] 2 Chronicles 36:6. Jeremiah 22:18.

Ezekiel 19:9

in chains] Or, books.

into holds] In some strong tower, or rock, where he died, and his body was afterward thrown out upon a dunghill. See 2 Chronicles 36:6. Jeremiah 22:18-19.

Ezekiel 19:10

Thy mother is like a vine] After thy tyrannie was ceased, which was signified by the lions roaring, Jerusalem seemed to flourish again, especially under Zedekiah, who had many sonnes sitting to succed him in his kingdome, and to prop him up; which is signified by the following termes.

in thy bloud] Or, in thy quietnesse; or, in thy likenesse.

Ezekiel 19:12

cast-wind] Hosea 13:15. Ezekiel 17:10. Meaning, that the Chaldeans should destroy them, as the East wind doth the fruit of the Vine: See Chap. 17. 10.

her strong rods were broken] Namely, all the young men, and the royall issue. See 2 Kings 25:7.

Ezekiel 19:13

she is planted in the wildernesse] The whole body of the Nation shall within a short while be carried away into Babylon, to live there in extreme misery.

Ezekiel 19:14

out of a rod of her branches] Namely, out of Zedekiah, who through his perfidiousnesse, and rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar, shall be the cause of the last desolation, 2 Chron. 36. 13. So that none of Judahs Kings were strong, nor after should be, till Christ came, to whom the Kingdome did belong.

and shall be for a lamentation] Not onely at the present time, but in after ages likewise.