Matthew Poole and continuators on Zechariah 9:7

7 And I will take away his blood out of his mouth , and his abominations from between his teeth : but he that remaineth, even he shall be for our God; and he shall be as a Governour in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite .

Though proud and warlike Nations have delighted to shed blood, nay, (if some judge aright) to eat the blood of their slain Enemies, yet now God will restrain, nay, overthrow their power, and take the prey out of their mouth, they shall neither breathe out slaughter, nor act it with their hands.

This may possibly be explanatory of the former, but I think it rather is meant of their abominable Sacrifices which they offered and feasted on, so the word in Deut. 7.27. with 26. 1 Kings 11.5, 7. 2 Kings 23.13. and by Hos. 9.10. God will punish for these sins, Idolatries, and by his destroying the People and Cities of those abominations will remove them for ever.

The remnant, even that, (so it might be read) if so read, it points out that small select number who escape the Sword, and are reserved to be for God, to Worship, Obey, Honour, and Love him; such a remnant as Isa. 4 3. or as Isa. 17.6. or Isa. 24.6. Those few Iews whom God preserved from the rage and cruelty of these bloody Idolaters, shall be the Lords peculiar ones.

For respect and honour which shall be given to them, 'tis not said they shall be Governours, but they shall be as like Governours.

The City for the People, and this one City and People for all the other: All the Philistines shall be as Iebusites, Servants to the people of God, or slain.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 paragraph]