Matthew Poole and continuators on Zechariah 9:5

5 Ashkelon shall see it , and fear : Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful , and Ekron : for her expectation shall be ashamed , and th[illegible: 1 letter] king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited .

Threatned by Zephaniah, chap. 2. ver. 4. which threat was executed by the Babylonians soon after the Iews Captivity, when Nebuchadnezzar wasted the Sea-coast, and besieged and took Tyrus, but this threat of Zechariah was fully executed by Alexander Mag. as is most likely.

As Cities see the fall of Neighbouring Cities, they shall have the news of it, and know it, perhaps some Ashkelonites may be there and see the s[illegible: 1 letter]ege and tell it.

As men that have no power to defend themselves, nor means left of flying from the Enemy.

Another strong Town, a Principality of the Philistins, Enemy to Israel, which in Nebuchadnezzars time suffered with Tyrus, Z[illegible: 1 letter]ph. 2.4. let. u. and shall again to suffer in Alexander's time, as here foretold

At the news of Tyrus fall shall take a fright, and fall into sorrows of a travelling Woman, as the word imports.

A City famous for Idolatry, see Zeph. 2.4. let. d. Shall as much fear and grieve as Ashkelon or Gaza.

Her hope that Tyrus would break Alexander's Power, or hold out against it, and be a refuge to her Citizens, who could not hope to withstand the Conquerour.

Turned into shame and confusion.

The Government be overthrown, and perhaps this literally was fulfilled when Alexander Mag. took Gaza after two Moneths siege, and two slight wounds received, and finding Betis the King, or Roytelet advanced to that dignity by Darius, thought good to put him to a cruel Death, as Curtius. l. 4.

i. e. For some years it shall be as waste, or, as 'twas, laid by the Babylonian according to Zeph. 2.4.