For the turning away of the simple shall slay
them
Or be the cause of their being slain; even their turning away
from Christ, their aversion to him; their turning their backs on
him, and a deaf ear to him; their turning away from his Gospel,
and putting it from them, thereby judging themselves unworthy of
everlasting life: in all which they showed themselves to be the
"simple" and "foolish" persons they were; and for which wrath and
ruin came upon them, and they were slain with the sword and
famine, and by one another. Some render it, as Aben Ezra, "the
rest" or "quietness of the simple" F11 taking up their rest in
themselves, and in their observance of ceremonies and traditions;
and crying Peace, peace, when sudden destruction was at hand: or
a stubborn hardened rest in sin, a seared conscience; having no
sense of guilt, nor fear of punishment; living in carnal security
till death should seize upon them; and the prosperity of
fools shall destroy them;
that is, the abuse of it; leading them to commit sins, which
bring destruction upon them; or, seeing sinners live with
impunity, and prosper in the world, take encouragement from
thence to indulge themselves in sin, which is their ruin; or,
being in prosperity, think it will always be well with them, and
therefore put away the evil day far from them, which comes upon
them at an unawares; which was the case of the Jews.