Zechariah Chapter 9
1 A revelation. The LORD's word is against the land of Hadrach, and will rest upon Damascus; for the eye of man and of all the tribes of Israel is towards the LORD;
2 and Hamath, also, which borders on it; Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.
3 Tyre built herself a stronghold, and heaped up silver like the dust, and fine gold like the mire of the streets.
4 Behold, the Lord will dispossess her, and he will strike her power in the sea; and she will be devoured with fire.
5 Ashkelon will see it, and fear; Gaza also, and will writhe in agony; as will Ekron, for her expectation will be disappointed; and the king will perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon will not be inhabited.
6 Foreigners will dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
7 I will take away his blood out of his mouth, and his abominations from between his teeth; and he also will be a remnant for our God; and he will be as a chieftain in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.
8 I will encamp around my house against the army, that no one pass through or return; and no oppressor will pass through them any more: for now I have seen with my eyes.
9 Rejoice greatly, daughter of Zion! Shout, daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you! He is righteous, and having salvation; lowly, and riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow will be cut off; and he will speak peace to the nations: and his dominion will be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
11 As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I have set free your prisoners from the pit in which is no water.
12 Turn to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope! Even today I declare that I will restore double to you.
13 For indeed I bend Judah as a bow for me. I have filled the bow with Ephraim; and I will stir up your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and will make you like the sword of a mighty man.
14 The LORD will be seen over them; and his arrow will go flash like lightning; and the Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and will go with whirlwinds of the south.
15 The LORD of Armies will defend them; and they will destroy and overcome with sling stones; and they will drink, and roar as through wine; and they will be filled like bowls, like the corners of the altar.
16 The LORD their God will save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they are like the jewels of a crown, lifted on high over his land.
17 For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! Grain will make the young men flourish, and new wine the virgins.
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Zechariah Chapter 9 Guide
Here begins the second division of the prophecy in which there are two messages. The first the prophet described as "the burden of the word of the Lord upon the land of Hadrach"; it deals with the rejection of the anointed King. In the first movement the prophet announced the coming of the King. He foretold the preservation of the city of Jerusalem in the days when Syria, Phoenicia, and Philistia would be overcome by the enemy, who, acting under Jehovah, would thus execute His judgments on them.
This prophecy was in large measure fulfilled by the coming of Alexander the Great. He captured Damascus and Sidon, and, after a siege of seven months, Tyre itself. He then marched against Gaza and razed it to the ground. In the course of this campaign he passed Jerusalem more than once, but never attacked it, Thus, according to the prophecy of Zechariah, the city was preserved for the coming of the true King. That coming he then foretold, calling on Zion and Jerusalem to rejoice, declaring the character of the King, and announcing His complete victory.
The prophet proceeded to describe the King's program. He foretold Zion's coming triumph against Greece under the direct guidance and by the might of Jehovah. This prophecy was fulfilled in the victory of Judas Maccabaeus over Antiochus Epiphanes.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Zechariah Chapter 9 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- God's defence of his church. -- (1-8)
- Christ's coming and his kingdom. -- (9-11)
- Promises to the church. -- (12-17)
Verses 1-8
Here are judgements foretold on several nations. While the Macedonians and Alexander's successors were in warfare in these countries, the Lord promised to protect his people. God's house lies in the midst of an enemy's country; his church is as a lily among thorns. God's power and goodness are seen in her special preservation. The Lord encamps about his church, and while armies of proud opposers shall pass by and return, his eyes watch over her, so that they cannot prevail, and shortly the time will come when no exactor shall pass by her any more.
Verses 9-17
The prophet breaks forth into a joyful representation of the coming of the Messiah, of whom the ancient Jews explained this prophecy. He took the character of their King, when he entered Jerusalem amidst the hosannas of the multitude. But his kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. It shall not be advanced by outward force or carnal weapons. His gospel shall be preached to the world, and be received among the heathen. A sinful state is a state of bondage; it is a pit, or dungeon, in which there is no water, no comfort; and we are all by nature prisoners in this pit. Through the precious blood of Christ, many prisoners of Satan have been set at liberty from the horrible pit in which they must otherwise have perished, without hope or comfort. While we admire Him, let us seek that his holiness and truth may be shown in our own spirits and conduct. These promises have accomplishment in the spiritual blessings of the gospel which we enjoy by Jesus Christ. As the deliverance of the Jews was typical of redemption by Christ, so this invitation speaks to all the language of the gospel call. Sinners are prisoners, but prisoners of hope; their case is sad, but not desperate; for there is hope in Israel concerning them. Christ is a Strong-hold, a strong Tower, in whom believers are safe from the fear of the wrath of God, the curse of the law, and the assaults of spiritual enemies. To him we must turn with lively faith; to him we must flee, and trust in his name under all trials and sufferings. It is here promised that the Lord would deliver his people. This passage also refers to the apostles, and the preachers of the gospel in the early ages. God was evidently with them; his words from their lips pierced the hearts and consciences of the hearers. They were wondrously defended in persecution, and were filled with the influences of the Holy Spirit. They were saved by the Good Shepherd as his flock, and honoured as jewels of his crown. The gifts, graces, and consolations of the Spirit, poured forth on the day of Pentecost, Ac 2 and in succeeding times, are represented. Sharp have been, and still will be, the conflicts of Zion's sons, but their God will give them success. The more we are employed, and satisfied with his goodness, the more we shall admire the beauty revealed in the Redeemer. Whatever gifts God bestows on us, we must serve him cheerfully with them; and, when refreshed with blessings, we must say, How great is his goodness!
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.