Ver. 1. O ye children of Benjamin.] These were the prophet’s countrymen, for Anathoth was in that tribe; so was also part of Jerusalem itself. He forwarneth them of the enemy’s approach, and bids them begone. The Benjamites were noted for valiant, but vicious. (Judges 19:16,22-25 Hosea 9:9 10:9) And blow the trumpet in Tekoah.] A place that had its name from trumpeting; so there is an elegance in the original. See the like, Micah 1:10,14. It was twelve miles from Jerusalem, and six from Bethhaccerem. Here dwelt that wise woman brided by Joab. (2 Samuel 14:2) Set up a sign of fire.] A beacon, or such as the cross of fire is in Scotland, where (for a signal to the people when the enemy is at hand) two firebrands set across, and pitched upon a spear, are carried about the country. Life of Edward VI, by Sir F. Heywood.
Ver. 2. I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.] Certatim amatae bucolicae puellae; some fair shepherdess, to whom the kings with their armies make love (but for no love), that they may destroy and spoil her.
Ver. 3. The shepherds.] See on Jeremiah 6:2.
Ver. 4. Prepare ye war against her.] Say those Chaldean sweethearts. This is their wooing language, like that of the English at Musselburgh. Let us go up at noon.] Let us lose no time; why burn we daylight by needless delays?
Ver. 5. Let us destroy her palaces.] Where we shall find all precious substance; we shall fill our hands with spoil. [as Proverbs 1:13]
Ver. 6. For thus hath the Lord of hosts said,] q.d., It is he who setteth these Chaldean warriors to work, and giveth them these words of command. So Totilas, Gensericus, and others, were the scourge in God’s hand, as now also the Turks are. She is wholly oppression.] She was full of judgment, righteousness lodged in her; but now nothing less. “ Nomen Alexandri ne te fortasse moretur, Hospes, abi: iacet hic et scelus et vitium.” De Alex. VI, Papa. Pasquil.
Ver. 7. As a fountain casteth out her waters.] Incessantly and abundantly. In Ieremia est continua quasi declamatio contra peccatum, &c. Before me continually.] This showeth their impudence.
Ver. 8. Be thou instructed.] Affliction is a schoolmaster, or rather an usher to the law, which the apostle calleth a schoolmaster to Christ. Affliction bringeth men to the law, and the law to Christ. Affliction is a preacher, saith one; “Blow the trumpet in Tekoah”; what saith the trumpet? “Be instructed, O Jerusalem.” Lest my soul depart from thee.] Heb., Be loosed or disjointed; lest I loathe thee more than ever I loved thee, and so thy ruin come rushing in, as by a sluice. Maturant aspera mentem.
Ver. 9. They shall thoroughly glean the remnant.] They shall make clean work of them. [as Judges 20:45]
Ver. 10. To whom shall I speak and give warning?] Heb., Protest— q.d., I know not where to meet with one teachable hearer in all Jerusalem. Behold, their ear is uncircumcised.] Obstructed and stopped with the “superfluity of naughtiness,” worse than any ear wax, or thick film overgrowing the organ of hearing. Tanquam monstra marina, surda aure Dei verba praetereunt. The word of the Lord is unto them a reproach.] They take reproofs for reproaches. [as Luke 11:45]
Ver. 11. Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord,] i.e., Of curses and menaces against this obstinate people. [as Jeremiah 4:19] I am weary with holding in.] As hitherto I have done, and could still in compassion, but that of necessity I must obey God’s will, and be the messenger of his wrath. It is a folly to think that God’s ministers delight to fling daggers at men’s breasts, or handfuls of hell fire in their faces. Non nisi coactus, said he. I will pour it forth.] I will denounce it, and then God will soon effect it. See on Jeremiah 1:10.
Ver. 12. With their fields and wives together.] These are mentioned as most dear to them; who could haply say as he did— “ Haec alii capiant; liceat mihi paupere cultu Secure chara coniuge posse frui.”
Ver. 13. Every one is given to covetousness.] Avet avaritia, eager for greed, is coveting covetise or excessively; crieth still, Give, give, with the horse leech; of which creature Pliny observeth, and experience showeth, that it hath no through passage, but taketh much in, and letting nothing out, breaks and kills itself with sucking. So doth the covetous man. Every one dealeth falsely.] Heb., Each one is doing falsehood, as if that were their common trade. Lib. xi. cap. 34.
Ver. 14. They have healed also the hurt of…slightly.] Heb., Upon a slight or slighted thing. Secundum curationem mali leviculi; as men use to cure the slight hurts of their children by blowing on them only, or stroking them over. Thus these deceitful workers dealt by God’s people, dallying with their deep and dangerous wounds, which they search not, neither cauterise, according to necessary severity. Saying, Peace, peace.] Making all fair weather before them, whenas the storm of God’s wrath was even breaking out upon them, such a storm as should never blow over. Secundum leviculum. -Jun.