Zechariah 9: The Coming King and His Kingdom
The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the Lord.
And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.
And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.
Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
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 governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.
And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.
Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;
When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.
And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
The Lord of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.
And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.
For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.
Zechariah 9 offers a powerful vision of judgment, salvation, and the coming King. This chapter, relevant to those who returned from exile and still speaks to us today, blends immediate historical context with profound prophetic significance, ultimately pointing to the Messiah and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
Judgment on the Nations (Zechariah 9:1-8)
Zechariah begins by focusing on the enemies of Israel and Judah. Throughout their history, they were surrounded by nations eager to see their destruction. Zechariah 9:1-4 prophesies the downfall of nations to the north, including Hadrach and Damascus, longtime adversaries of Israel. Hamath, Tyre, and Sidon are also mentioned, highlighting their impending judgment. This judgment is unavoidable because the Lord Himself has spoken against them. Who can defend against the word of the LORD?
The prophecy then shifts to the Philistine cities of Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron (Zechariah 9:5-6). These were age-old enemies of God's people, even before King David. The atrocities they committed would be repaid. However, amidst this judgment, a remarkable promise emerges: even among the Philistines, a remnant will turn to God (Zechariah 9:7). This foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in God's kingdom, echoing the vision in Revelation 7:9 of "a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language" worshipping the Lamb. God's grace extends even to those who were once enemies of His people.
God also promises protection for His own land. "But I will encamp around my house as a guard, so that no one shall march to and fro; no oppressor shall again pass over them, for now I have seen with my own eyes" (Zechariah 9:8). This speaks of God's watchful care and commitment to safeguarding His people.
The Arrival of the King (Zechariah 9:9-10)
In a dramatic shift, Zechariah calls Jerusalem to rejoice: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9). This prophecy, so specific and seemingly paradoxical, points directly to the Messiah. In Zechariah's time, Jerusalem was under foreign rule and had no king of their own. This prophecy was a beacon of hope, looking forward to a future deliverer.
This prophecy found its initial fulfillment when Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem on a donkey shortly before His crucifixion (Matthew 21:1-11). This act, seemingly humble, was a deliberate claim to kingship, fulfilling Zechariah's ancient words. However, this was only a partial fulfillment. Jesus will return again, not as a suffering servant, but as a triumphant King, establishing His kingdom on earth.
The scope of this King's dominion is vast: "His rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth" (Zechariah 9:10). This speaks of a universal reign, where the entire world will submit to the authority of God's Messiah. He will bring peace and justice to all nations.
Restoration and Victory (Zechariah 9:11-17)
The Lord declares, "As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit" (Zechariah 9:11). This speaks of deliverance and redemption. Just as Isaiah prophesied that Jerusalem had received "double for all her sins" (Isaiah 40:2), God promises to restore double to her (Zechariah 9:12).
God promises to empower His people to overcome their enemies (Zechariah 9:13-15). He will be their defense and their strength. In the last days, God will deliver Israel and cause them to "sparkle like jewels in a crown" (Zechariah 9:16).
Zechariah concludes this glorious prophecy with an exclamation of wonder: "For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!" (Zechariah 9:17). This is a fitting response to the vision of the coming King, His kingdom, and the restoration of His people. Zechariah 9 reminds us of God's faithfulness to His promises, His unwavering love for His people, and the hope we have in the coming Messiah.
The burden of the word of the Lord in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the Lord.
And Hamath also shall border thereby; Tyrus, and Zidon, though it be very wise.
And Tyrus did build herself a strong hold, and heaped up silver as the dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets.
Behold, the Lord will cast her out, and he will smite her power in the sea; and she shall be devoured with fire.
Ashkelon shall see it, and fear; Gaza also shall see it, and be very sorrowful, and Ekron; for her expectation shall be ashamed; and the king shall perish from Gaza, and Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.
And a bastard shall dwell in Ashdod, and I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
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 governor in Judah, and Ekron as a Jebusite.
And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water.
Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;
When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.
And the Lord shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
The Lord of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.
And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.
For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids.
Zechariah 9 offers a powerful vision of judgment, salvation, and the coming King. This chapter, relevant to those who returned from exile and still speaks to us today, blends immediate historical context with profound prophetic significance, ultimately pointing to the Messiah and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
Judgment on the Nations (Zechariah 9:1-8)
Zechariah begins by focusing on the enemies of Israel and Judah. Throughout their history, they were surrounded by nations eager to see their destruction. Zechariah 9:1-4 prophesies the downfall of nations to the north, including Hadrach and Damascus, longtime adversaries of Israel. Hamath, Tyre, and Sidon are also mentioned, highlighting their impending judgment. This judgment is unavoidable because the Lord Himself has spoken against them. Who can defend against the word of the LORD?
The prophecy then shifts to the Philistine cities of Ashkelon, Gaza, and Ekron (Zechariah 9:5-6). These were age-old enemies of God's people, even before King David. The atrocities they committed would be repaid. However, amidst this judgment, a remarkable promise emerges: even among the Philistines, a remnant will turn to God (Zechariah 9:7). This foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in God's kingdom, echoing the vision in Revelation 7:9 of "a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language" worshipping the Lamb. God's grace extends even to those who were once enemies of His people.
God also promises protection for His own land. "But I will encamp around my house as a guard, so that no one shall march to and fro; no oppressor shall again pass over them, for now I have seen with my own eyes" (Zechariah 9:8). This speaks of God's watchful care and commitment to safeguarding His people.
The Arrival of the King (Zechariah 9:9-10)
In a dramatic shift, Zechariah calls Jerusalem to rejoice: "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9). This prophecy, so specific and seemingly paradoxical, points directly to the Messiah. In Zechariah's time, Jerusalem was under foreign rule and had no king of their own. This prophecy was a beacon of hope, looking forward to a future deliverer.
This prophecy found its initial fulfillment when Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem on a donkey shortly before His crucifixion (Matthew 21:1-11). This act, seemingly humble, was a deliberate claim to kingship, fulfilling Zechariah's ancient words. However, this was only a partial fulfillment. Jesus will return again, not as a suffering servant, but as a triumphant King, establishing His kingdom on earth.
The scope of this King's dominion is vast: "His rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth" (Zechariah 9:10). This speaks of a universal reign, where the entire world will submit to the authority of God's Messiah. He will bring peace and justice to all nations.
Restoration and Victory (Zechariah 9:11-17)
The Lord declares, "As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit" (Zechariah 9:11). This speaks of deliverance and redemption. Just as Isaiah prophesied that Jerusalem had received "double for all her sins" (Isaiah 40:2), God promises to restore double to her (Zechariah 9:12).
God promises to empower His people to overcome their enemies (Zechariah 9:13-15). He will be their defense and their strength. In the last days, God will deliver Israel and cause them to "sparkle like jewels in a crown" (Zechariah 9:16).
Zechariah concludes this glorious prophecy with an exclamation of wonder: "For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!" (Zechariah 9:17). This is a fitting response to the vision of the coming King, His kingdom, and the restoration of His people. Zechariah 9 reminds us of God's faithfulness to His promises, His unwavering love for His people, and the hope we have in the coming Messiah.