9:1 The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of {a} Hadrach, and Damascus [shall be] the {b} rest of it: when the {c} eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, [shall be] toward the LORD.
(a) By which he means Syria.
(b) God's anger will remain upon their chief city, and not spare even as much as that.
(c) When the Jews will convert and repent, then God will destroy their enemies.
9:1 Hadrach - This is the name of a city in Celosyria, and here signifies the country also. It was not far from Damascus. The rest thereof - This burden shall lie long as well as heavy on Damascus. Towards the Lord - For as all men's appeals in cases of wrong are to heaven, so they who have been wronged by Syrian injustice, look to heaven for right.
9:1-8 Here are judgements foretold on several nations. While the Macedonians and Alexander's successors were in warfare in these countries, the Lord promised to protect his people. God's house lies in the midst of an enemy's country; his church is as a lily among thorns. God's power and goodness are seen in her special preservation. The Lord encamps about his church, and while armies of proud opposers shall pass by and return, his eyes watch over her, so that they cannot prevail, and shortly the time will come when no exactor shall pass by her any more.
