Matthew Poole and continuators on Jeremiah 6:1

1 O Ye children of Benjamin, gather your selves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa: and set up a sign of fire in Beth-haccerem: for evil appeareth out of the North, and great destruction.

He means, either the inhabitants of Ierusalem, because part of it stood in the lot of Benjamin, Josh. 18.28. or else, he means all Judah, because, when the Ten Tribes fell off, the Tribe of Benjamin adhered to Judah, and was incorporated into them; If it be asked why the Prophet rather speaks here to Benjamin than to Judah, the reason probably may be, because he being of Anathoth was of that Tribe, and therefore mentions them as his own Country-men.

Spoken, either ironically that they should set themselves in Array, and make head against the Enemy, that is now at hand; Or rather, that they should flee away together at once make haste out of Jerusalem in Troops, as the next expressions intimate; not counselling them what they should do, viz. for succour, chap. 4.5, 6. but rather telling them what they must expect, viz. forced to flee out of it, if they may escape.

q. d. Gather your selves together by the sound of the Trumpet at Tekoa, possibly alluding to the name, which signifies trumpeting; or rather, it being one of those fenced Cities 12 miles from Ierusalem that Rehoboam built, and made exceeding strong for, and with his warlike provisions, 2 Chron. 11.6.11, 12. and being built upon the advantage of a hill towards the North of Iudea in the way that the Babylonians were to come, q. d. there furnish your selves out of that Armory, and see if you can make head against him, an Irony; a place noted in Scripture, where dwelt that Techoitish Woman, that interceded with David for Absolom by the subornation of Ioab, 2 Sam. 14.2. and also for the Herdsmen, of whom Amos was, Amos 1.1. and it is probable, a place where in time of danger they were wont, by the sound of the Trumpet, to summon the people together.

The word used is of very large extent, maset is used for any thing that is lifted up, neither is there any more in the Text, the LXX also render it only a sign, and the sign of fire possibly is mentioned, rather than any other, by a Metonymy of the Subject, because, partly in time of danger of invasion, it is the most usual, and commodious sign, being seen in regard of its lifting, or rising up of▪ it self at once afar off, q. d. fire a Beacon, and a sign, whereby the Benjamites themselves once found they were surprised, Iudg. 20.38, 40. 2. It is a sign soonest given of any. 3. Possibly, as being a more proper sign, than any other would be to the Vine-dressers, that they should secure themselves in some safe place, which seems to be pointed at by the next word Beth-haccerem. It signifies the house of the Vineyard, probably some high Tower built among the Vineyards for the keeper, or keepers of them to watch them, that no damage came to them, this seeming to be usual, Isa. 5.2. Or, it may be the name of a Town, such a one, as some report to lye between Jerusalem and Tekoa, the same mentioned, Neh. 3.14. though that seems to be adjoining to Jerusalem, whichsoever it be, it is probable, it relates to some place noted for Vineyards, which were wont to be planted upon hills, and lying in the way, that the Chaldeans were to come, and by these two we are to understand all other places that lie in that coast.

That they may know whence their Misery will come, he doth as it were point it out with the finger; See chap. 1.14. & 4.6.