1 He shews unto Zion the terribleness of God's judgment.
12 He exhorts to repentance;
15 prescribes a fast;
18 promises a blessing thereon.
21 He comforts Zion with present,
28 and future blessings.

Blow. 15 Nu 10:3,8 Jer 4:5 Ho 8:1

trumpet. or, cornet. 1Ch 15:28 Ho 5:8

and sound. Nu 10:5-7,9 Eze 33:3,6 Am 3:6 Zep 1:16

in my. 3:17 Ps 87:1 Da 9:16,20 Zep 3:11 Zec 8:3

let. Ezr 9:3,4 Ps 119:120 Isa 66:2,5 Jer 5:22 16:7,10 Da 6:26 Php 2:12

for the. 1:15 Isa 2:12 Eze 7:5-7,10,12 12:23 Am 8:2 Ob 15 Mal 4:1 1Th 5:2 Jas 5:8 1Pe 4:7

2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.

A day of darkness. The quantity of these insects, says a French author,is incredible to all who have not themselves witnessed their astonishing numbers; the whole earth is covered with them for the space of several leagues. The noise they make in browsing on the trees and herbage may be heard at a great distance, and resembles that of an army in secret. Wherever their myriads spread, the verdure of the country disappears; trees and plants, stripped of their leaves and reduced to their naked boughs and stems, cause the dreary image of winter to succeed in an instant to the rich scenery of spring. When these clouds of locusts take their flight, to surmount any obstacles or to traverse more rapidly a desert soil, the heavens may literally be said to be obscured by them.

10,31 3:14,15 Ex 20:21 Ps 97:2 Isa 5:30 8:22 Jer 13:16 Am 5:18-20 Zep 1:14,15 Heb 12:18 Jude 13

as. Am 4:13

a great. 5,11,25 1:6

there. 1:2,3 Ex 10:6,14 Da 12:1 Mr 13:19

many generations. Heb. generation and generation. De 32:7 Ps 10:6*margins

3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

fire. 1:19,20 Ps 50:3 Am 7:4

the land. Ge 2:8 13:10 Isa 51:3 Eze 31:8,9

and behind. 1:4-7 Ex 10:5,15 Jer 5:17 Zec 7:14

4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.

Re 9:7

5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.

the noise. Na 2:3,4 3:2,3 Re 9:9

like the noise of a. Isa 5:24 30:30 Mt 3:12

a strong. 2

6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.

all. Ps 119:83 Isa 13:8 Jer 8:21 30:6 La 4:8 Na 2:10

blackness. Heb. pot.

7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:

They shall run. In their progress, says Dr. Shaw, they kept their ranks like men of war; climbing over every tree or wall that was in their way. Nay, they entered into our very houses and bedchambers, like so many thieves. Every effort of the inhabitants to stop them was unavailing; the trenches they had dug were quickly filled up, and the fires they had kindled extinguished, by infinite swarms succeeding each other.

2Sa 1:23 2:18,19 Ps 19:5 Isa 5:26-29

climb. 9 2Sa 5:8 Jer 5:10

they shall march. Pr 30:27

8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.

sword. or, dart. 2ch 23:10 32:5*marg. Ne 4:17,23 Job 33:18 36:12 So 4:13

9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.

enter. Ex 10:6 Jer 9:21 Joh 10:1

10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

earth. Ps 18:7 114:7 Na 1:5 Mt 27:51 Re 6:12 20:11

the sun. 2,31 3:15 Isa 13:10 34:4 Jer 4:23 Eze 32:7 Am 5:8 Mt 24:29 Mr 13:24,25 Lu 21:25,26 Ac 2:20 Re 8:12

11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

utter. 3:16 2Sa 22:14,15 Ps 46:6 Isa 7:18 13:4 42:13 Jer 25:30 Am 1:2

his army. 25

he is. Jer 50:34 Re 18:8

the day. Jer 30:7 Am 5:18,20 Zep 1:15

who. Nu 24:23 Na 1:6 Mal 3:2 Re 6:17

12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

turn. De 4:29,30 1Sa 7:3 1Ki 8:47-49 2Ch 6:38,39 7:13,14 Isa 55:6,7 Jer 4:1 29:12,13 La 3:40,41 Ho 6:1 12:6 14:1 Zec 1:3,4 Ac 26:20

with fasting. Jud 20:26 1Sa 7:6 2Ch 20:3,4 Ne 9:1,2 Isa 22:12 Jon 3:5-8 Zec 7:3,5 12:10-14 Jas 4:8,9

13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

rend. Here the word rend is used only once, but with two significations; in the former sentence it is used figuratively; in the latter literally--the heart not being rent in the same sense in which garments are rent.

2Ki 22:19 Ps 34:18 51:17 Isa 57:15 66:2 Eze 9:4 Mt 5:3,4

your garments. Ge 37:29,34 2Sa 1:11 1Ki 21:27 2Ki 5:7 6:30 22:11 Job 1:20 Isa 58:5 Mt 6:16-18 1Ti 4:8

for. Ex 34:6,7 Nu 14:18 Ps 86:5,15 145:7-9 Jon 4:2 Mic 7:18 Ro 2:4 Ro 5:20,21 Eph 2:4

slow. Ne 9:17 Ps 103:8 Na 1:3 Jas 1:19,20

and repenteth. Ps 106:45 Jer 18:7,8 Am 7:2-6 Jon 4:2

14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?

Who. Ex 32:30 Jos 14:12 1Sa 6:5 2Sa 12:22 2Ki 19:4 Am 5:15 Jon 1:6 Jon 3:9 Zep 2:3 2Ti 2:25

and leave. Isa 65:8 Hag 2:19 2Co 9:5-11*marg.

even. 1:9,13,16

15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

Blow. 1 Nu 10:3

sanctify. 1:14 1Ki 21:9,12 2Ki 10:20 Jer 36:9

16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

sanctify. Ex 19:10,15,22 Jos 7:13 1Sa 16:5 2Ch 29:5,23,24 30:17,19 35:6 Job 1:5

assemble. 1:14 De 29:10,11 2Ch 20:13 Jon 3:7,8

let. Zec 12:11-14 Mt 9:15 1Co 7:5

17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?

the priests. 1:9,13

between. 1Ki 6:3 2Ch 8:12 Eze 8:16 Mt 23:35

and let. Ho 14:2

Spare. Ex 32:11-13 34:9 De 9:16-29 Isa 37:20 64:9-12 Da 9:18,19 Am 7:2,5 Mal 1:9

and give. Ps 44:10-14 74:10,18-23 79:4 89:41,51 Eze 36:4-7

that. Ne 9:36 Isa 63:17-19

rule over them. or, use a byword against them. De 28:37 1Ki 9:7 2Ch 7:20 Ps 44:14

wherefore. Nu 14:14-16 De 32:27 Ps 42:10 79:10 115:2 Eze 20:9 Mic 7:10 Mt 27:43

18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

be. Isa 42:13 Zec 1:14 8:2

and pity. De 32:16,36,43 Jud 10:16 Ps 103:13,17 Isa 60:10 63:9,15 Jer 31:20 La 3:22 Ho 11:8,9 Lu 15:20 Jas 5:11

19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:

I will send. 24 1:10 Isa 62:8,9 65:21-24 Ho 2:15 Am 9:13,14 Hag 2:16-19 Mal 3:10-12 Mt 6:33

and ye. 26

and I. Eze 34:29 36:15 39:29

20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

remove. 2-11 1:4-6 Ex 10:19

the northern. Jer 1:14

the east. Eze 47:7,8,18 Zec 14:8

utmost. De 11:24

his stink. Eze 39:12-16

because. 2Ki 8:13

done. Heb. magnified to do.

21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.

Fear. Ge 15:1 Isa 41:10 54:4 Jer 30:9,10 Zep 3:16,17 Zec 8:15

be glad. Ps 65:12,13 96:11,12 98:8 Isa 35:1 44:23 55:12 Ho 2:21

for. 20 De 4:32 1Sa 12:16,24 Ps 71:19 126:1-3 Jer 33:3

22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.

afraid. 1:18-20 Ps 36:6 104:11-14,27-29 145:15,16 147:8,9 Isa 30:23,24 Jon 4:11

for the pastures. 1:19 Ps 65:12 Isa 51:3

for the tree. Le 26:4,5 Ps 67:6 107:35-38 Eze 34:26,27 36:8,30,35 Ho 14:5-7 Am 9:14,15 Hag 2:16 Zec 8:12 Mal 3:10-12

yield. Ge 4:12 1Co 3:7

23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

ye children. Ps 149:2 La 4:2 Zec 9:13 Ga 4:26,27

rejoice. Ps 28:7 32:11 33:1 95:1-3 104:34 Isa 12:2-6 41:16 61:10 Hab 3:17,18 Zep 3:14-17 Zec 9:9 10:7 Lu 1:46,47 Php 3:1,3 4:4

the former, etc. or, a teacher of righteousness. 28,29 De 32:2 Job 33:23 Ps 72:6,7 Isa 30:21,23 Eph 4:8-11

moderately. Heb. according to righteousness. he will. Le 26:4 De 11:14 28:12 Pr 16:15 Jer 3:3 Ho 6:3 Zec 10:1 Jas 5:7,8

in. Am 4:7

24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.

3:13,18 Le 26:10 Pr 3:9,10 Am 9:13 Mal 3:10

25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

that. 2-11 1:4-7 Zec 10:6

26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

ye shall. Le 26:5,26 De 6:11,12 8:10 Ne 9:25 Ps 22:26 103:5 Pr 13:25 So 5:1 Isa 55:2 62:8,9 Mic 6:14 Zec 9:15,17 1Ti 6:17

and praise. De 12:7,12,18 26:10,11 1Ti 4:3-5

that. 20,21 Ge 33:11 Ps 13:6 72:18 116:7 126:2,3 Isa 25:1

and my. Ps 25:2,3 37:19 Isa 29:22 45:17 49:23 54:4 Zep 3:11 Ro 5:5 Ro 9:33 10:11 1Jo 2:28

27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

I am. 3:17 Le 26:11,12 De 23:14 Ps 46:5 68:18 Isa 12:6 Eze 37:26-28 Zep 3:17 2Co 6:16 Re 21:3

that I. Isa 45:5,18,21,22 53:6 Eze 39:22,28

and my. 26 1Pe 2:6

28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

that I. Pr 1:23 Isa 32:15 44:3 Eze 39:29 Joh 7:39 Ac 2:16-18

upon. Isa 40:5 49:6 Zec 12:10 Lu 3:6 Ac 2:2-4,33,39 10:44-47 Ac 11:15-18 15:7,8

your daughters. Isa 54:13 Ac 21:9 Ga 3:28

dream. Ge 37:5-10 Nu 12:6 Jer 23:28

29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

1Co 12:13 Ga 3:28 Col 3:11

30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

I will. Mt 24:29 Mr 13:24 Lu 21:11,25,26 Ac 2:19,20 Re 6:12-17

pillars. Ge 19:28 Jos 8:20 Jud 20:38,40 So 3:6 Re 18:9,18

31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.

sun. 10 3:1,15 Isa 13:9,10 34:4,5 Mt 24:29 27:45 Mr 13:24,25 Lu 21:25 Re 6:12,13

the great. Zep 1:14-16 Mal 4:1,5

32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

that Ps 50:15 Jer 33:3 Zec 13:9 Ac 2:21 Ro 10:11-14 1Co 1:2

for. Isa 46:13 59:20,21 Ob 17,21 Joh 4:22 Ro 11:26 Heb 12:22

and in. Isa 10:22 11:11,16 Jer 31:7 Mic 4:6,7 5:3,7,8 Joh 10:16 Ac 2:39 15:17 Ro 8:28-30 9:24,27 11:5,7 2Th 2:13,14