Zeph. 2 An exhortation to repentance, Zeph. 2:1–3. The judgment of the Philistines, Zeph. 2:4–7 of Moab and Ammon, Zeph. 2:8–11, of Ethiopia, Zeph. 2:12, and Assyria, Zeph. 2:13–15.

Gather yourselves together; call a solemn assembly, as Joel 1:14, proclaim a fast. Let all have notice given to meet on this work, and, being gathered together, search yourselves, your hearts and ways, and repent.

Before the decree, the Word of the prophet which declares the purpose of God against this sinful people, bring forth: the degree is pregnant, nay, hath gone a great while, but is now like a woman near her full time, ready to bring forth: be you speedy in your repentance, lest your miseries break…

Seek ye the Lord; turn to him with sound and true repentance, pray for pardon, engage in new obedience, inquire in the law what is your duty, and do it; fear, worship, depend on the Lord alone.

For; it is time to seek some refuge, high time to seek it in God, for your neighbours, as well as you, shall be destroyed, there shall he no refuge for you among your neighbours.

Woe unto the inhabitants! now all the Philistines are threatened, whereas before he named only those four cities. Of the sea-coasts; the coasts of the great or western sea, now the Mediterranean, on which the Philistines of old did dwell.

This confirms the former, tells us what shall be in those parts; instead of cities full of rich citizens, there shall be cottages for shepherds watching over their flocks.

The coast, the sea-coast, the land of the Philistines, shall be for the remnant, either that escaped, as some did, or else survived the captivity; of the house of Judah; the two tribes, one named, both included. They shall feed thereupon; their Rocks.

I have heard: either the prophet for himself, or for the people, speaks this; or else, more likely, in the name of God, assures the Jews that God had heard, observed, resented, and was highly displeased with that he heard.

As I live; the most solemn oath, fit for none but God himself to use: see Ezek. 14:16. Saith the Lord of hosts, who have all things at my disposal, and can arm all creatures against these proud revilers.

This shall they have; this grievous ruin like Sodom’s, this just retaliation; they insulted over Israel, Israel shall tread on them. For their pride; haughty mind and carriage: see Zeph. 2:8. Reproached; defamed, spoken lies and scandals against the Jews, lessening them.

The Lord will be terrible; or, the Lord, who is to be feared, is against or above them, and will make it appear that he is terrible in his doings. Unto them; Moabites and Ammonites, and their gods, of whom they gloried.

The prophet doth not speak of the African Ethiopians, south of Egypt, but of the Arabian Ethiopians, much nearer to Canaan, whose country was called Cusaea, with the addition Ethiopia Cusaea. See Hab. 3:7.

And he, the Lord God of Israel, or the Chaldean monarch as God’s servant herein, will stretch out his hand, engage all his power, and use it to the utmost, against the north, i.e. as follows, Assyria, which lay northward of Judea, but more due north from Babylon, if I mistake not.

Nineveh shall be so razed that flocks of cattle shall lie down in the midst of it, as before of the Philistines, Zeph. 2:6. All the beasts of the nations; all sorts of beasts which are found in those countries, the tame under the girard of watching shepherds, and wild ones seeking their prey, will…

This is the rejoicing city: we may suppose the prophet, or the Jews, or all passengers, standing still and wondering, nay, upbraiding Nineveh, all mirth and jollity once, but now all sorrow and grief.