Ezek. 19 A lamentation for the princes of Israel, under the parable of lions’ whelps taken in a pit, Ezek. 19:1–9; and for Jerusalem, under the parable of a wasted vine, Ezek. 19:10–14.

Moreover, Heb. And. Take up a lamentation; son of man, Ezekiel, declare what a lamentable state the princes of Israel are falling into, propound it by parable. It was usually expressed in verse, as Jeremiah did in his lamentations, and as appears 2 Chron.

What resemblance shall I use to set out the nature, deportment, and state of the mother of these princes? an unhappy mother of unhappy children! Or, Alas! thy mother, &c. Thy; one of these was upon the throne at once, and therefore the prophet speaks to one at a time, in the singular number.

See Ezek. 19:3. Brought up; not as a nurse, the word is of other import, but advanced, promoted, or caused him to take the throne after the slaughter of Josiah. One of her whelps; this was Jehoahaz, the second son of Josiah, of whom it is said, 2 Kings 23:30, 2 Chron.

The Egyptians heard and considered what he did, they had intelligence of Jehoahaz’s rigours against them, and all that abetted their interest; this made them (as neighbours do when a lion is reported to waste their flocks) gather together against him.

Upon the ill success of Jehoahaz, Jerusalem and the Jews in the land fell from their hopes under great disappointments, for Jehoahaz is taken, deposed, carried captive by the Egyptians, instead of shaking off the Egyptian yoke. She took another; yet it is said, 2 Chron.

He, Jehoiakim, went up and down: it is said of him, because he continued eleven years on the throne, and so many years, as a lion, tore and devoured; whereas Jehoahaz was taken as soon almost as he first ventured out to hunt the prey.

He, Jehoiakim, knew their desolate palaces, on view; not only heard of them, but setting on them violently, and taking them, he came to know their palaces, which are here called, what he made them, desolate; so the word Isa. 13:22.

The nations which were feudatory to Nebuchadnezzar, and were bound to assist him in his wars. Set against him; by order of the king of Babylon gathered together to hunt this lion, to make war on this revolting king. On every side; surrounded him that he might not escape.

They, the armies of the several nations, or the chief commanders of those armies, put him in ward, in grates, or a great cage, as wild beasts are conveyed. In chains; it is reported they put an iron collar on his neck, and fastened an iron chain to it.

The 10th verse begins the second part of the chapter. Thy mother, O thou prince of Israel: see Ezek. 19:2. Is like a vine; frequently so compared, Ps. 80:8, Ps. 80:14–15, Isa. 3:14, Isa. 5:2, Isa. 27:2. In thy blood; either when thou wast first born, as Ezek.

Strong rods; many excellent persons endowed with qualifications befitting kings, that they might sway the sceptre, and rule the people with equity. Her stature; the grandeur of the kings and kingdom. Exalted among the thick branches; exalted above the ordinary majesty of other kingdoms.

This flourishing vine first degenerated, brought forth fruit to itself, not to God, and grew proud, abused God’s mercies to all manner of sin. She was plucked up in fury; was violently, suddenly, and totally rooted out, tore up by the roots; so was the once flourishing kingdom of the Jews…

And now; at this present time. She is planted; but, alas! how unlike what she was! a brand pulled out of the burnings, a few of the branches of the last pruning, or a few smaller roots taken up by the provident hand of the Lord of the vineyard, a remnant that might be a nursery, a seedplot; but the…

This verse gives you account of the immediate cause of this hasty, furious, total pulling up of this vine. And fire, of rebellion, will be kindled by a rod of her branches, Zedekiah, who is of the blood royal, made king by Nebuchadnezzar, and who swore allegiance to him.