Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Zechariah 9:5
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
Ashkelon shall see [it], and fear, etc.] That is, as Kimchi explains it, when Ashkelon shall see that Tyre humbles herself and submits, she shall humble herself and submit also: and the sense may be, that the inhabitants of Ashkelon, seeing that Tyre, with all her wisdom and strong reasoning, could not stand before the power of the Gospel, but submitted and embraced the Christian religion, were induced, through the efficacy of divine grace, to do the same; and certain it is that this place became Christian; we readf177 of a bishop of Ashkelon, in the synod of Nice, and of other bishops of this place in later councils: it belonged to Palestine, and was one of the five lordships of the Philistines, (<061303>Joshua 13:3). Gaza also [shall see it], and be very sorrowful; this was a city of Palestine, near to Ashkelon; they are mentioned together, (<070118>Judges 1:18) the Gentile inhabitants of this place, when they saw the progress the Gospel made in Tyre, Zidon, and Ashkelon, were grieved at it, but many among them submitted to it: very likely Philip the evangelist first preached the Gospel here; (see <440826>Acts 8:26) there was a Christian bishop of this place in the Nicene council, and others in after onesf178. And Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; this was also one of the five lordships of the Philistines, (<061303>Joshua 13:3 <090616>1 Samuel 6:16,17) which, being near to Tyre, had its dependence on that, expecting it could never be taken; but when they saw that it was taken by Alexander, it was ashamed of its vain expectation, hope, and confidence: and so the inhabitants of this place, when the Gospel came to it, were “ashamed of the house of [their] confidence”, as the Targum paraphrases the words; the confidence they had in their idols, and in the works of their own hands; and were also “ashamed because of their iniquities”, as the Arabic version renders them; being convinced of them, and humbled for them, and betaking themselves to Christ for salvation from them. It is probable, that Philip preached the Gospel here, seeing it was not far from Azotus or Ashdod, next mentioned, where Philip is heard of after the baptism of the eunuch: and if Ekron is the same with Caesarea, that was called Strato’s tower, as say the Jewsf179; and which also Jeromf180 observes, some say are the same it is certain that Philip was there, (<440840>Acts 8:40) there were several Christian bishops of this place in later timesf181. And the king shall perish from Gaza; some understand this of Batis, who was governor of Gaza, when it was taken by Alexander; who was fastened to a chariot, and dragged about the city, as Curtiusf182 relates; but this man was not a king, but governor of the city under one: I rather think the idol Marnes, which signifies “the lord of man”, and was worshipped in this place, is here meant; which when it became Christian was destroyed, and a Christian church built in the room of it, as is reported by Jeromf183. And Ashkelon shall not be inhabited; by Heathens, but by Christians.
How to use this source
This excerpt is attributed to its named commentary. It is included as a historical study resource and should be evaluated in light of Scripture and other relevant evidence.
