Introduction to Zephaniah Chapter 1
After the title of the book, Zephaniah 1:1, follows the Lord's threatening of the land of Judea with an utter consumption of it, and of all creatures in it, for the sins of its inhabitants, especially their idolatry and apostasy, Zephaniah 1:2, and this is represented under the notion of a sacrifice, to which guests are bid; and which even princes, and those of the blood royal, should not escape, nor ministers of state, or such who filled their masters' houses with violence, Zephaniah 1:7. Some particular places are mentioned, where there should be a great noise of crying and howling, and especially Jerusalem, which should be diligently searched, and its goods become a booty, and its houses desolate, Zephaniah 1:10. This destruction is spoken of as near at hand, and is described as very terrible and distressing, Zephaniah 1:14 and as inevitable; nothing would be able to deliver from it, Zephaniah 1:18.