21 The shatterer has come up against you. Man the ramparts; watch the road; gird your loins; collect all your strength. 2 (For the Lord is restoring the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel, for plunderers have stripped them and ruined their branches.) 3 The shield of his mighty men is red, his soldiers are clothed in scarlet. The chariots flash like flame when mustered in array; the chargers prance. 4 The chariots rage in the streets, they rush to and fro through the squares; they gleam like torches, they dart like lightning. 5 The officers are summoned, they stumble as they go, they hasten to the wall, the mantelet is set up. 6 The river gates are opened, the palace is in dismay; 7 its mistress is stripped, she is carried off, her maidens lamenting, moaning like doves, and beating their breasts. 8 Nin'eveh is like a pool whose waters run away. "Halt! Halt!" they cry; but none turns back. 9 Plunder the silver, plunder the gold! There is no end of treasure, or wealth of every precious thing. 10 Desolate! Desolation and ruin! Hearts faint and knees tremble, anguish is on all loins, all faces grow pale!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nahum 2:1-10
Commentary on Nahum 2:1-10
(Read Nahum 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!