Hath Israel no sons?-no heir?] The Ammonites, it appears, took advantage of the depressed state of Israel, and invaded their territories in the tribe of Gad, hoping to make them their own for ever. But the prophet intimates that God will preserve the descendants of Israel, and will bring them back to their forfeited inheritances.

Why then doth their king] µklm Malcom or Milcom, the chief idol of the Ammonites. That the idol Milcom is here meant is sufficiently evident from ver. 3, where it is said: "Milcom (not their king) shall go into captivity; his PRIESTS and his princes together." Milcom is also called Molech. Malcom is put here for the Ammonites, as the people of Chemosh in the preceding chapter are put for the Moabites in general.

Jer. 49:1-6. Might often prevails against right among men, yet tha might shall be controlled by the Almighty, who judges aright; and thos will find themselves mistaken, who, like the Ammonites, think ever thing their own on which they can lay their hands. The Lord will cal men to account for every instance of dishonesty, especially to the destitute.

Jer. 49:7-22 The Edomites were old enemies to the Israel of God. But their day is now at hand; it is foretold, not only to warn them, but for the sake of the Israel of God, whose afflictions were aggravated by them. Thus Divine judgments go round from nation to nation; the eart is full of commotion, and nothing can escape the ministers of Divin vengeance. The righteousness of God is to be observed amidst the violence of men.

Jer. 49:23-27 How easily God can dispirit those nations that have bee most celebrated for valour! Damascus waxes feeble. It was a city of joy, having all the delights of the sons of men. But those deceiv themselves who place their happiness in carnal joys.

Jer. 49:28-33 Nebuchadnezzar would make desolation among the people of Kedar, who dwelt in the deserts of Arabia. He who conquered many stron cities, will not leave those unconquered that dwell in tents. He wil do this to gratify his own covetousness and ambition; but God orders it for correcting an unthankful people, and for warning a careless worl to expect trouble when they seem most safe. They shall flee, get fa off, and dwell deep in the deserts; they shall be dispersed. But privacy and obscurity are not always protection and security.

Jer. 49:34-39 The Elamites were the Persians; they acted against God' Israel, and must be reckoned with. Evil pursues sinners. God will make them know that he reigns. Yet the destruction of Elam shall not be for ever. But this promise was to have its full accomplishment in the day of the Messiah. In reading the Divine assurance of the destruction of all the enemies of the church, the believer sees that the issue of the holy war is not doubtful. It is blessed to recollect, that He who is for us, is more than all against us. And he will subdue the enemies of our souls __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew