But [the sons] of Belial [shall be] all of them as
thorns
thrust away
Not like the tender grass that springs up, and flourishes after
rain, and the sunshine upon that; but like thorns, useless,
hurtful, and pernicious, and fit only for burning: this is true
of wicked men in general, that cast off the yoke of the Lord, and
become unprofitable, as Belial signifies; and of wicked governors
in particular, who, instead of being helpful, are harmful to a
commonwealth; and instead of being the joy and comfort of their
subjects, and of giving pleasure to them, and making them
cheerful and prosperous, give pain and trouble, and cause grief
and sorrow; and are, if possible, to be thrust away, and deposed
from government:
because they cannot be taken with hands;
thorns cannot be handled and gently dealt with, but some
instrument must be used to put them away with force; so wicked
men, and especially wicked rulers, are untractable, and not to be
managed in a gentle way, and therefore violent ones must be
taken.