1 The burden of Nineueh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 God is ielous, and the Lord reuengeth: the Lord reuengeth, and is furious, the Lord wil take vengeance on his aduersaries, and he reserueth wrath for his enemies.
3 The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlewind, and in the storme, and the clouds are the dust of his feete.
4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it drie, and drieth vp all the riuers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the floure of Lebanon languisheth.
5 The mountaines quake at him, and the hilles melt, and the earth is burnt at his presence, yea the world and all that dwell therein.
6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fiercenesse of his anger? his furie is powred out like fire, and the rocks are throwen downe by him.
7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, & he knoweth them that trust in him.
8 But with an ouer-running flood he will make an vtter ende of the place thereof, and darkenesse shall pursue his enemies.
9 What doe ye imagine against the Lord ? he will make an vtter ende: affliction shall not rise vp the second time.
10 For while they be folden together as thornes, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be deuoured as stubble fully drie.
11 There is one come out of thee, that imagineth euill against the Lord: a wicked counseller.
12 Thus saith the Lord, Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut downe, when he shall passe through: though I haue afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
13 For now will I breake his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
14 And the Lord hath giuen a commandement concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sowen: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the grauen image, and the molten image, I wil make thy graue, for thou art vile.
15 Behold vpon the mountaines the feete of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace. O Iudah keepe thy solemne feasts, performe thy vowes: for the wicked shall no more passe through thee, he is vtterly cut off.
This prophet denounces the certain and approaching destruction of the Assyrian empire, particularly of Nineveh, which is described very minutely. Together with this is consolation for his countrymen, encouraging them to trust in God.The justice and power of the Lord. (1-8) The overthrow of the Assyrians. (9-15)1-8 About a hundred years before, at Jonah's preaching, the Ninevites repented, and were spared, yet, soon after, they became worse than ever. Nineveh knows not that God who contends with her, but is told what a God he is. It is good for all to mix faith with what is here said concerning Him, which speaks great terror to the wicked, and comfort to believers. Let each take his portion from it: let sinners read it and tremble; and let saints read it and triumph. The anger of the Lord is contrasted with his goodness to his people. Perhaps they are obscure and little regarded in the world, but the Lord knows them. The Scripture character of Jehovah agrees not with the views of proud reasoners. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is slow to wrath and ready to forgive, but he will by no means acquit the wicked; and there is tribulation and anguish for every soul that doeth evil: but who duly regards the power of his wrath?
9-15 There is a great deal plotted against the Lord by the gates of hell, and against his kingdom in the world; but it will prove in vain. With some sinners God makes quick despatch; and one way or other, he will make an utter end of all his enemies. Though they are quiet, and many very secure, and not in fear, they shall be cut down as grass and corn, when the destroying angel passes through. God would hereby work great deliverance for his own people. But those who make themselves vile by scandalous sins, God will make vile by shameful punishments. The tidings of this great deliverance shall be welcomed with abundant joy. These words are applied to the great redemption wrought out by our Lord Jesus and the everlasting gospel, #Ro 10:15|. Christ's ministers are messengers of good tidings, that preach peace by Jesus Christ. How welcome to those who see their misery and danger by sin! And the promise they made in the day of trouble must be made good. Let us be thankful for God's ordinances, and gladly attend them. Let us look forward with cheerful hope to a world where the wicked never can enter, and sin and temptation will no more be known.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.