Zechariah 9:9-10

The appearance of the Messianic king, 9, 10.

The overthrow of the nations (Zechariah 9:1-7) will prepare the way for the coming of the Messianic king, who will establish his throne in Zion and rule in righteousness and peace over the redeemed remnant. The king has no part in the overthrow of the hostile powers (Isaiah 9:1-7); this Jehovah himself will accomplish; only after the nations are overthrown will the king make his appearance.

In Zechariah 9:9 Zion is called upon to welcome the king.

Rejoice greatly… shout The repetition is for the sake of emphasis; there is every reason for the greatest enthusiasm.

Daughter of Zion… Jerusalem The expressions are synonymous, and refer to the inhabitants of Jerusalem (see on Zechariah 2:7).

Thy King The Messianic king mentioned so frequently in the prophetic writings (compare Isaiah 9:1-7; Micah 5:1 ff., etc.; see at the close of the comments on Micah 5:15).

Unto thee To set upon his throne there. 9b describes the king’s character and coming.

Just Or, righteous; both in his own personal life and in his administration (compare Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 11:3-4).

Having salvation Margin R.V., “saved.” It is difficult to reproduce the exact sense of the Hebrew by one single word. The thought is that the king will enjoy at all times the divine help and favor, so that all he undertakes will prosper.

Lowly Literally, oppressed, or, afflicted. Because he himself will be of lowly estate he will be able to sympathize fully with those in similar condition. His interest will not be confined to the noble and wealthy.

Riding upon an ass The animal of peace; not upon a horse, which is the animal of war and royalty. The use of the ass is an indication of the peaceful character of the Messianic rule, and of the unpretentious character of the rider. The rest of the verse describes the ass more definitely as a young animal, but there is no special significance in the addition (Matthew 21:2). It is interesting to compare with this passage Jeremiah 17:25; Jeremiah 22:4).

10. During the era of peace there will be no use for war implements, hence Jehovah not the Messianic king will destroy them (Isaiah 2:4; Isaiah 9:5; Micah 5:10-11).

Chariot… horse… battle bow These represent all implements of warfare.

Ephraim,… Jerusalem The new nation will be composed of elements representing both kingdoms. Ephraim=Israel; Jerusalem=Judah. That Jehovah himself will do these things is in perfect accord with other Messianic utterances (Isaiah 9:5; Micah 5:10); hence there is no good reason for altering the text so as to read, “and he will cut off.”

Speak peace His word will be of sufficient weight to maintain peace among the nations. This implies that his authority will be acknowledged not only by the Jews, but by other nations as well (Isaiah 2:4), a thought emphasized in the next clause (compare Psalms 72:8; Micah 7:12).

From sea… to sea Not as in Amos 8:12, where the author is thinking only of Palestine. The territory over which the Messianic king will rule is more extensive. One sea is probably the Mediterranean; the other, the ocean thought to mark the end of the earth in the opposite direction.

The river As often, the Euphrates.

The ends of the earth The vaguely defined regions in the extreme west. These expressions are not to be interpreted in a strictly literal sense; they are used simply to indicate the unlimited extent of the Messianic kingdom.