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Though God is quick to act on behalf of his people and bless them physically, he is never content to leave them unchallenged spiritually. The physical blessings of the previous unit lead inevitably to the need for renewal and cleansing (13:1). After God gives them a new gracious spirit, the people will realize the gravity of their actions in rejecting God’s representative. Because they have pierced the Shepherd-King, the people—royalty, priests, and common citizens—will all mourn bitterly. The apostle John saw Jesus' death as the fulfillment of this prophecy (Jn 19:37; Rev 1:7).
Hadad Rimmon (v.11) may be a city near the plain of Megiddo, an allusion to a fertility god whose death was mourned seasonally (2Ki 5:18) or a subtle reference to the tragic death of Josiah.