Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 4:9

9 And it shall come to pass at that day saith the LORD, that the heart of the king shall perish , and the heart of the princes; and the priests shall be astonished , and the prophets shall wonder .

The King, viz. of Iudah, and the great men, that should have encouraged the People in such a calamitous day, and been their great support, shall not only be afraid, but their own hearts shall melt within them, they shall be even at their wits end, see Iosh. 5.1. they shall have no heart at all to do any thing, they shall not be able to help their People, either by their counsel, or arms, their courage will utterly fail, and th[illegible: 2 letters]r counsel perish. See Psal. 73.26. this was fulfilled in Zedekiah, Ieremiah 39. and 52. whose flight would not advantage him.

Shall be in such a consternation, that they shall not know what course to take.

Viz. False Prophets, that had nothing but visions of peace for them, Ezek. 13.16. Zech. 13.3, 4. chap. 8.11. See next Verse.

Not so much at the disappointment of their prophesies, for they knew well enough they were false, chap. 23.26, 27. as that they should be possessed with the same horror, and frights with the rest, not knowing where to shew, or rather to hide their heads for the shame that would fall upon them, when their lies should be discovered, they would be put to shame, and perish with the rest, and whither shall they cause their shame to go.