Nahum 2

War against Nineveh (vs. 1-7)—The prophet presents some very vivid imagery in this chapter of war against the city of Nineveh. The Babylonians have come as “he who scatters” (v. 1). Thus, Nineveh is exhorted to make defensive preparations: “Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily” (v. 1). Judah will certainly be beneficiaries of the destruction of Assyria (v. 2). The shields, valiant men, and chariots are made ready (v. 3), and then the battle rages (v. 4). The nobles fight, walls are shored up, but the enemy breaks through the gates and “the palace is dissolved”—no more Assyrian emperor (v. 6). Captivity has been decreed (by God) for the Assyrians, and the innocents will mourn (v. 7). Such is the fate of every wicked empire.

Nineveh flees and is plundered (vs. 8-10)—With defeat comes flight, and no one can stop the mad rush from the city (v. 8—the “pool of water” reference is obscure). The city will be plundered of gold and silver: “there is no end of treasure” (v. 9). And, for Nineveh: “She is empty, desolate, and waste! The heart melts, and the knees shake; Much pain is in every side, And all their faces are drained of color” (v. 10). The great city built by Nimrod, the “mighty hunter before the Lord,” (see Genesis 10:9-11) will be annihilated.

“I am against you” (vs. 11-13)—In verses 11 and 12, Nahum pictures the viciousness and strength of Nineveh before her destruction. A dwelling place of lions (i.e., strong warriors) and “no one made them afraid” (v. 11). Nineveh “tore in pieces” other peoples, “filled his caves with prey and his dens with flesh” (v. 12). This rapacious barbarism was one reason the Lord was going to wipe them off the face of the earth. Verse 13 is pretty clear: “’Behold, I am against you,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall be heard no more.’" Even the greatest of cities and empires have no hope when doom is pronounced upon them by Jehovah.