3:17 princes . . . scribes. See text note. These two terms are rare in Hebrew and may be Assyrian loan-words. They probably represent important officials in the government of the vast empire. When things become dangerous they run away. Riches, power, and organization fail miserably as the nation collapses.

sun rises. The appearance of the Lord’s judgment will scatter His enemies as dramatically as the heat of day rouses and disperses sleeping locusts (cf. Ps. 84:11; Mal. 4:1–3).