Zechariah 12

Zechariah 12:1

THe burthen] The Prophecie uttered by Gods commission For Israel] the Italian, concerning Israel] concerning the victories which God shall grant unto his Church, which is the true Israel, according to the spirit.

Zechariah 12:2

Jerusalem] My Church being set upon by her enemies, shall be an occasion that I will strike them with amazement: So that they shall not be able to bring their designes to any happy end; but shall be the causes of their owne ruines: Isai. 51. 17, 22. Jeremiah 51:7 In the siege] In the very instant that they were ready to doe their best and last endevours

Zechariah 12:3

A burthensome stone] the Ancients observe; that this is taken for an exercise or game, which was very frequent in Judea: namely; to take up a great round stone, to try ones strength; lifting it up from the ground, sometimes to their knees, sometimes to their navels, sometimes to their shoulders; and sometimes as high as their heads; at which sport, many times they did grievously hurt themselves. The meaning is the enemies of the Church shall strive and endevour, who shall be able to doe her most hurt; but the stoutest and valantest of them all, shall be overcome: See Matth. 21. 44.

Zechariah 12:4

I will smite] I will take away all strength and understanding from mine enemies: See Psal. 76. 5, 6.

Zechariah 12:5

The Governours] The Apostles and Euangelists shall fill the world with wars and dissentions, by preaching of the Gospel: Luke 12:49. by which the enemies shall goe to ruine, and the Church shall be re-established: Obadiah 1:18.

Zechariah 12:7

Shall save] The meaning is; Christs salvation shall first be proffered to the poore and weake: like to the tents of those poore Jewes that lived in the fields, and were not comparable to Jerusalem, which was a royall and strong city, belonging to the House of David: that is to say; The Kings and great Ones shal be last converted, as the event did verifie it under the Gospel, to shew the prerogative of meane ones with God: See James 2:5.

Zechariah 12:8

And he] The weake and feeble shall by Gods Spirit be strengthened and confirmed in heroicall vertues: as David was; see Joe 3:10 The House of David] namely; The Princes of the blood royall, who were also chiefe Officers of the Crowne: by which are meant the Apostles, who should be endowed with so many graces, in Majestie, Authority, Strength and Truth; that they should seeme to be Gods and Angels in the world, rather then men: See Galatians 4:14.

Zechariah 12:10

I will powre] A prophecie of the last conversion of the Jewes; whereof see Mat. 23 39 Romans 11:26. 2 Corinthians 3:16 The Spirit] namely; The presence the operation and the gifts of Christs Spirit, which is given through grace; and is the Seale and earnest of Gods grace; and doth alone produce in Believers, holy and acceptable prayers: Romans 8:25-26 They shall looke] that is to say; They shall turne to me by Faith Have pierced] Psal. 22. 16. Matth. 27. 35. Jh 19. 34 Mourne r him] They shall be exceedingly grieved at their forefathers misdeeds: See Jeremiah 3:21. Acts 2:37.

Zechariah 12:11

As the mourning] It is likely that hee hath a relation to those solemne lamentations which were appinted for Josias his death, who was slaine in the field of Meghiddo: 2 Chronicles 35:22; 2 Chronicles 35:25. And it seemes that Hadradrimmon was some city or strong hold in the said field, made mention of onely: Zechariah 14:10.

Zechariah 12:12

Every Family] Circumstances taken from the manner of publike mournings; in which they used to shut themselves up in their houses with their families, and refraine the company of women, and all manner of delightfull conversation: see Numb. 20. 29 Of Nathan] A branch of Davids posterity, out of which sprung Zerobabel, who was next to the crowne after Solomons line failed: See 2 Samuel 5:14 Luke 3:27; Luke 3:31.

Zechariah 12:13

Sheme] It seemes that it was some Familie of the Levites: 1 Chron. 6. 17. and 23. 10. And the Prophet doth in this manner specifie these Families; whereof some had held temporall, and some Ecclesiasticall offices: to shew, that as the Church and State were united and joyne in persecuting of Christ, and in putting him to death; so they should joyntly doe penance for it.