Zechariah 9

Zechariah 9:1

THe burden] A prophecye of threatenings and curses. See Isaiah 13:1. Jeremiah 23:3 Of Hadrach] it was an Idoll of the Syrians, which represented the Sunne. The name signifieth, the only King; to which they added a goddesse, called by Authors Atergati; which signifieth, only Queene, and that represented the earth: both of them were figured with Sunne-beames; the King downwards, and the Queene upwards; and their chiefe Temple was in Hierapolis a City of Syria; and the Prophet calleth the Countrey by the name of the god, or of the chiefe Idoll of it; as Isaiah 8:8. Jeremiah 48:46. Hosea 10:5 Damascus] A principall City of Syria; upon whose strength and wealth the whole Countrey depended; in which also, the people tooke their pleasures with all security. Others expound it, and Damascus shall be his rest: that is to say; these threatenings shall fall, and be executed upon Damascus; namely, by Alexander the Great, who conquered all these Nations When the] the Italian, for the] he gives a reason why the words of the Prophets were directed also to Heathen Nations; namely, because Gods providence doth not governe his people alone, but the whole world Eyes] See Zech. 3. 9. and 4. 10. and 5. 6.

Zechariah 9:2

Thereby] that eye of providence shall limit: that is to say; shall stay the course of the power, conquests, and enterprizes of Hamath the chiefe City of Syria. See Isaiah 7:8-9 Very wise] in worldly wisedome, which is attributed to the Tyrians, Ezekiel 28:3; Ezekiel 4:12; Ezekiel 4:17. upon which those Cities founded their subsistency and greatnesse.

Zechariah 9:5

Ashelon] Cities of the Philistines; which were enemies to Gods people, even after their returne from captivity; and therefore were destroyed at the last by Alexander the Great For her] namely; Tyrus, a very strong and mighty City; in which those Nations did put great confidence; hoping that it could stay, and hinder Alexanders proceedings. See the like termes, Isaiah 20:5-6.

Zechariah 9:6

The stranger] the Italian, a bastard] a mingled multitude of strange Nations gathered together.

Zechariah 9:7

Take away] I will keep them from devouring my people any more Abominations] that is to say; abominable spoiles That remaineth] that little remainder of my people, which escaped from the enemies violence, shall be gathered together by God, and held as part of his people: As a communalty thereof governed by its head, as the other communalties of Judah were. See Judges 6 15. Micah 5:2 Ekron] the Philistines shall be utterly destroyed, as the Jebusites were by David, 2 Samuel 5:6.

Zechariah 9:8

Oppressour] they shall no more be tyrannized over; nor exacted upon, as they have been heretofore I have] I have turned away my favourable countenance towards her, and have taken her into my safeguard.

Zechariah 9:9

O daughter] O universall Church Thy King] A prophecye of Christs comming in the flesh: who is the everlasting King of his Church; from whom all former benefits proceeded, and were spiritually in him fully heaped up: not by worldly strength or power; but by vertue of his everlasting righteousnesse, by which he hath acquired salvation to his Church; whereof his royall, and withall, most humble entrance into Jerusalem was a signe.

Zechariah 9:10

I will cut off] the Messias will bring to the Church a true and everlasting spirituall peace; whereby there will be no more need of any warlike preparation, Psal. 46. 9. Isaiah 2:4. Hosea 2:18. Or by his onely power, without any humane meanes, he shall save and defend his people, Hosea 1:7. Micah 5:10 His dominion] the figure of the Land of Israel, bounded by its ancient bounds; which are here set downe: he meanes, the extent of the universall Church, as Psal. 72. 8.

Zechariah 9:11

For thee also] the same Messias, by vertue of the same bloud, wherewith he hath reconciled mankinde to God, and obtained everlasting salvation for them; hath also been the Author of the Babylonian deliverance, and all the other ensuing benefits The bloud] namely; the bloud of Christ, figured by the bloud which was sprinckled upon the people, Exodus 24:8. Psal. 74. 20 Heb. 13 20.

Zechariah 9:12

Turne you] O you distressed Jewes that are prisoners in Babylon, to whom I have given a certaine hope of returne; returne speedily to Jerusalem, the place of your habitation, secure under my safeguard and protection. See Daniel 11:1-45. 1, 38 Double] far greater then the evils which thou hast suffered, or the goods which thou hast lost, Isaiah 61:7.

Zechariah 9:13

Have I bent] I will make use of mine owne people to overthrow mine enemies, and especially the kingdomes of Egypt and Syria, which were possessed by Alexanders successors, who were Orecians. A Prophecie fulfilled in the Maccabees, who delivered the Jewes from the tyrannie of these two kingdomes.

Zechariah 9:14

Shall be seen] God shall from heaven shew his Almighty power for their deliverance: see Ezekiel 38:18 Whirle-winds] With great tumult and trembling; like to those tempests which are raised by a Southerne wind: Isaiah 21:1.

Zechariah 9:15

Shall defend] His people and the children of Sion: v. 13 Devouring] they shall enjoy my blessings; by vertue of which they shall be able to overcome all their enemies Make a noise] Hereby is described the Jewes freenesse and courage in setting upon their enemies Filled] With the spoyles of their enemies, and every good thing Bowles] Which was used for to take in the blood of the sacrifices, which alwayes fell in great quantity from the Altar, where it was spilt.

Zechariah 9:16

The stones] There shall be Trophies erected every where, by reason of their great outcries obtained over their enemies.

Zechariah 9:17

How great] The grace and glory of God shall shew it selfe wonderfully and infinitely for the salvation of his Elect: Psal 84. 12 Corne] namely; Gods blessings, corporall and spirituall.