2:3 The shield of his mighty men is made red, {d} the valiant men [are] in scarlet: the chariots [shall be] with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and {e} the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.
(d) Both to put fear into the enemy, and also that they themselves should not so soon detect blood among one another, to discourage them.
(e) Meaning their spears would shake and crash together.
2:3 The shield - One part for the whole of the armour, and furniture. Mighty men - Medes or Chaldeans. Red - With the blood of the slain. Torches - Torches were always carried in them. In the day - When he shall muster his armies. Shaken - By axes cutting them down for the war.
2:1-10 Nineveh shall not put aside this judgment; there is no counsel or strength against the Lord. God looks upon proud cities, and brings them down. Particular account is given of the terrors wherein the invading enemy shall appear against Nineveh. The empire of Assyria is represented as a queen, about to be led captive to Babylon. Guilt in the conscience fills men with terror in an evil day; and what will treasures or glory do for us in times of distress, or in the day of wrath? Yet for such things how many lose their souls!
