For thus saith the Lord God
What follows; and declares by name the person that should be the
instrument of this ruin, and the manner in which it should be
brought about: I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar, king
of Babylon;
a prince whose name was terrible, having conquered many nations:
the Lord is said to bring him against Tyre, because, he inclined
his heart to steer his course this way; encouraged him to this
work; led and protected his army; and, at last, gave him success:
it held out thirteen years against him, and then was taken. The
siege began, according to Mr. Whiston F6, A.M.
3650 or before Christ 586; and was taken A.M. 3663 or before
Christ 573; according to Bishop Usher, F7, it
began A.M. 3419 or before Christ 585; and was taken A.M. 3432 or
before Christ 572. The Phoenician historians make mention of the
siege of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar; and Berosus speaks of his
subduing the whole country of Phoenicia, in which Tyre was; with
whom agree Philostratus and Megasthenes F8:
a king of kings from the north;
who had many kings tributaries to him; the metropolis of whose
kingdom lay somewhat, though not fully, north to Tyre: with
horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies,
and
much people:
with a very numerous army, consisting of a large cavalry; horses
being very numerous in the countries subject to him; and which he
mounted his men on, both for their more easy travelling, and for
their better fighting, and for the terror of their enemies.