Zechariah 9

Judgment on Israel’s Enemies

1

A prophecy:

1 The word of the LORD is against the land of Hadrak and will come to rest on Damascus— for the eyes of all people and all the tribes of Israel are on the LORD—^[a]

2 and on Hamath too, which borders on it, and on Tyre and Sidon, though they are very skillful.

3 Tyre has built herself a stronghold; she has heaped up silver like dust, and gold like the dirt of the streets.

4 But the Lord will take away her possessions and destroy her power on the sea, and she will be consumed by fire.

5 Ashkelon will see it and fear; Gaza will writhe in agony, and Ekron too, for her hope will wither. Gaza will lose her king and Ashkelon will be deserted.

6 A mongrel people will occupy Ashdod, and I will put an end to the pride of the Philistines.

7 I will take the blood from their mouths, the forbidden food from between their teeth. Those who are left will belong to our God and become a clan in Judah, and Ekron will be like the Jebusites.

8 But I will encamp at my temple to guard it against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch.

The Coming of Zion’s King

9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River^[b] to the ends of the earth.

11 As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.

12 Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

13 I will bend Judah as I bend my bow and fill it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and make you like a warrior’s sword.

The LORD Will Appear

14 Then the LORD will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet; he will march in the storms of the south,

15 and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling^[c] the corners of the altar.

16 The LORD their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.

17 How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women.

Zechariah 9 Commentary

Chapter 9

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, ( Acts 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!

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 17:1; S Amos 1:5
• 2. S Jeremiah 49:23
• 3. Ezekiel 28:1-19
• 4. S Genesis 10:15
• 5. Job 27:16; S Ezekiel 28:4
• 6. S Isaiah 23:11
• 7. S Isaiah 23:1; Jeremiah 25:22; Ezekiel 26:3-5; Ezekiel 27:32-36; Ezekiel 28:18
• 8. Jeremiah 47:5
• 9. S Isaiah 14:30
• 10. S Job 25:2
• 11. S Jeremiah 47:1; S Joel 3:4; S Zephaniah 2:4
• 12. S Isaiah 26:1
• 13. Zechariah 14:21
• 14. S Isaiah 52:1; S Isaiah 54:14; S Joel 3:17
• 15. S Isaiah 62:11
• 16. S 1 Kings 1:39
• 17. S Psalms 24:7; S Psalms 149:2; Micah 4:8
• 18. Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 43:3-11; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Zephaniah 3:14-15; Zechariah 2:10
• 19. S Genesis 49:11; S 1 Kings 1:33
• 20. Matthew 21:5*; John 12:15*
• 21. Hosea 1:7; Hosea 2:18; Micah 4:3; Micah 5:10; Zechariah 10:4
• 22. S Isaiah 2:4
• 23. Psalms 72:8
• 24. S Exodus 24:8; S Matthew 26:28; S Luke 22:20
• 25. S Isaiah 10:4; S Isaiah 42:7
• 26. Jeremiah 38:6
• 27. S Joel 3:16
• 28. S Deuteronomy 21:17; S Isaiah 40:2
• 29. S 2 Samuel 22:35
• 30. S Isaiah 49:2
• 31. S Joel 3:6
• 32. S Jeremiah 51:20
• 33. Isaiah 31:5
• 34. Psalms 18:14; S Habakkuk 3:11
• 35. S Leviticus 25:9; S Matthew 24:31
• 36. Isaiah 21:1; Isaiah 66:15
• 37. Isaiah 31:5; Isaiah 37:35; Zechariah 12:8
• 38. Zechariah 14:3
• 39. Zechariah 10:7
• 40. Zechariah 14:20
• 41. S Exodus 27:2
• 42. S Isaiah 10:20
• 43. Isaiah 62:3; S Jeremiah 31:11

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "Damascus." / "For the eye of the " Lord"is on all people," / "as well as on the tribes of Israel,"
• [b]. That is, the Euphrates
• [c]. Or "bowl," / "like"

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 9

This chapter treats of the conversion of the Gentiles, before spoken of in general, now particularly named; of the coming of Christ into the world, and the advantages of it to his church; of the preaching of the Gospel by the apostles, and of their protection, encouragement, and success. The Gentiles converted are first the Syrians that dwelt in Hadrach, Damascus, and Hamath, the Lord's eye being upon them, Zec 9:1 next the Phoenicians, the inhabitants of Tyre and Zidon, who had a vain opinion of their wisdom, and trusted in their riches, Zec 9:2-4 and then the Philistines, the inhabitants of Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and Ashdod, guilty of pride, murder, idolatry, and other abominations, Zec 9:5-7 when the church and people of God should be safely protected, Zec 9:8 to whom, for their joy and comfort, is given forth a prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah; who is described by his character as a King, just, having salvation, lowly, and riding on an ass; by the peaceableness of his kingdom; by the various offices he executes; the prophetic office, speaking peace to the Heathen; the kingly office, his dominion being very large; and his priestly office, in the effusion of his blood, by which the covenant is confirmed, his people delivered out of distress, and encouraged to flee to him as their stronghold, where they find plenty and protection, Zec 9:9-12 next the apostles are represented as military men, accoutered with the bow and the sword of the mighty, Zec 9:13 whose success is owing to the Lord's appearance over them, and the efficacy of his grace and Spirit attending the word, Zec 9:14 who are protected and encouraged in it by the Lord, and honoured on account of it, Zec 9:15,16 and the chapter is concluded with an exclamation, wondering at the grace and glory of Christ, and expressing the satisfying provisions of his house, Zec 9:17.