Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Zechariah 12

Zec 12:1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

burden

Zec 12-14 form one prophecy the general theme of which is the return of the Lord and the establishment of the kingdom. The order is:

1. The siege of Jerusalem preceding the battle of Armageddon (Zec 12:1-3);
2. the battle itself (Zec 12:4-9);
3. the "latter rain" in the pouring out of the Spirit and the personal revelation of Christ to the family of David and the remnant in Jerusalem, not merely as the glorious Deliverer, but as the One whom Israel pierced and has long rejected (Zec 12:10);
4. the godly sorrow which follows that revelation (Zec 12:11-14);
5. the cleansing fountain (Zec 13:1) then to be effectually "opened" to Israel.

Zec 12:2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling

Day (of Jehovah). Zec 12:1-14; Zec 13:1-6. (Isa 2:10-22; Rev 19:11-21).

the siege

Armageddon (battle of). Zec 12:1-9; Zec 14:1-5. (Rev 16:14; 19:21.)

Zec 12:6 In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.

In that day

Cf. Zec 9:13-15; 10:5-7; 12:2-6; 14:14.

Jerusalem shall be inhabited again

Kingdom (O.T.). Zec 12:6-8. (Scofield Gen 1:26, note).

Zec 12:8 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.

David

Kingdom in O.T., Summary:

1. Dominion over the earth before the call of Abraham.
   1. Dominion over creation was given to the first man and woman (Gen 1:26, 28). Through the fall this dominion was lost, Satan becoming "prince of this world" (Mat 4:8-10; Jhn 14:30).
   2. After the flood, the principle of human government was established under the covenant with Noah (Scofield Genesis 9:1, note). Biblically this is still the charter of all Gentile government.
2. The Theocracy in Israel. The call of Abraham involved, with much else, the creation of a distinctive people through whom great purposes of God toward the race might be worked out (see "Israel" Scofield Genesis 12:1-3; Romans 11:26, Summary). Among these purposes is the establishment of a universal kingdom. The order of the development of Divine rule in Israel is:
   1. The mediatorship of Moses (Exo 3:1-10; 19:9; 24:12).
   2. The leadership of Joshua (Jos 1:1-5).
   3. The institution of Judges (Jdg 2:16-18).
   4. The popular rejection of the Theocracy, and choice of a king—Saul (1Sa 8:1-7; 9:12-17).
3. The Davidic kingdom
   1. The divine choice of David (1Sa 16:1-13).
   2. The giving of the Davidic Covenant (2Sa 7:8-16; Psa 89:3, 4, 20, 21, 28-37).
   3. The exposition of the David Covenant by the prophets (Isa 1:25, 26 to Zec 12:6-8. See marg. Scofield Isaiah 1:26 "Kingdom" and refs.). The kingdom as described by the prophets is:
      1. Davidic, to be established under an heir of David, who is to be born of a virgin, therefore truly man, but also "Immanuel," "the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" (Isa 7:13, 14; 9:6, 7; 11:1; Jer 23:5; Eze 34:23; 37:24; Hos 3:4, 5.
      2. A kingdom heavenly in origin, principle, and authority (Dan 2:34, 35, 44, 45), but set up on the earth, with Jerusalem as the capital (Isa 2:2-4; 4:3, 5; 24:23; 33:20; 62:1-7; Jer 23:5; 31:38-40; Joe 3:1, 16, 17).
      3. The kingdom is to be established first over regathered, restored, and converted Israel, and then to become universal (Psa 2:6-8; Psa 24; Psa 22; Isa 1:2, 3; 11:1, 10-13; 60:12; Jer 23:5-8; Jer 30:7-11; Eze 20:33-40; 37:21-25; Zec 9:10; 14:16-19).
      4. The moral characteristics of the kingdom are to be righteousness and peace. The meek, not the proud, will inherit the earth; longevity will be greatly increased; the knowledge of the Lord will be universal; beast ferocity will be removed; absolute equity will be enforced; and outbreaking sin visited with instant judgment; while the enormous majority of earth's inhabitants will be saved (Isa 11:4, 6-9; 65:20; Psa 2:9; Isa 26:9; Zec 14:16-21). The N.T. (Rev 20:1-5) adds a detail of immense significance—the removal of Satan from the scene. It is impossible to conceive to what heights of spiritual, intellectual, and physical perfection humanity will attain in this, its coming age of righteousness and peace (Isa 11:4-9; Psa 72:1-10).
      5. The kingdom is to be established by power, not persuasion, and is to follow divine judgment upon the Gentile world-powers (Psa 2:4-9; Isa 9:7; Dan 2:35, 44, 45; 7:26, 27; Zec 14:1-19). See Scofield Zechariah 6:11, note.
      6. The restoration of Israel and the establishment of the kingdom are connected with an advent of the Lord, yet future (Deu 30:3-5; Psa 2:1-9; Zec 14:4).
      7. The chastisement reserved for disobedience in the house of David (2Sa 7:14; Psa 89:30-33) fell in the captivities and world-wide dispersion, since which time, though a remnant returned under prince Zerubbabel, Jerusalem has been under the overlordship of Gentile. But the Davidic Covenant has not been abrogated (Psa 89:33-37), but is yet to be fulfilled (Act 15:14-17).

angel

Scofield Hebrews 1:4, note.

Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

spirit

Holy Spirit. Mal 2:15. (Gen 1:2; Mal 2:15.)

look upon me whom they have pierced

Jhn 19:37.

Christ (Second Advent). Zec 13:6. (Deu 30:3; Acts 1:9-11.)