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The palaces of Kirioth - This was one of the principal cities of the Moabites.

Moab shall die with tumult - All these expressions seem to refer to this city's being taken by storm, which was followed by a total slaughter of its inhabitants.

It shall devour the palaces of Kerioth - Literally, “the cities,” that is, a collection of cities. It may have received a plural form upon some enlargement, as Jerusalem received a dual form, as a double city. The name is, in different forms, very common. In the plain or high downs of Moab itself, there were both Kiriathaim, “double city” and Kerloth Jeremiah 48:23-24; in Naphthali, a Kiriathaim, (1 Chronicles 6:76, (1 Chronicles 6:61 in Hebrew)) or Kartan Joshua 21:32; in Judah, the Kerioth Joshua 15:25 from where the wretched Judas has his name Iscariot; in Zebulon, Kartah Joshua 21:34 also, which reappears as the Numidian Cirta. Moab had also a Kiriath-huzoth, “city of streets” Numbers 22:39, within the Arnon. This alone was within the proper border of Moab, such as the Armorites had left it.

Kerioth and Kiriathaim were in the plain country which Israel had won from the Amorites, and its possession would imply an aggression of Moab. Jeroboam II had probably at this time brought Moab to a temporary submission (see the note at Amos 6:14); but Israel only required fealty and tribute of Moab; Moab appears even before the captivity of the 2 12 tribes, to have invaded the possessions of Israel. Kerioth was probably a new capital, beyond the Arnon, now adorned with “palaces” and enlarged, as “Paris, Prague, Cracow, “London, are composed of different towns. In Jerome‘s time, it had probably ceased to be.

Shall die with tumult - Jeremiah, when prophesying the destruction of Moab, designates it by this same name “sons of tumult Jeremiah 48:45. A flame shall devour the corner of Moab and the crown of the sons of tumult.” And probably herein he explains the original prophecy of Balaam, “shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of tumult” Numbers 24:17. As they had done, so should it be done to them; tumults they caused, “in tumult” they should perish.

After the subdual of Moab by Nebuchadnezzar, it disappears as a nation, unless indeed Daniel in his Prophecy, “Edom and Moab and the chief of the children of Ammon shall escape out of his hand” Ezra 9:1 is mentioned only as that with women of other pagan nations which had ceased to be. The old name, Moabitis, is still mentioned; but the Arabs had possessed themselves of it, and bore the old name. Alexander Jannaeus “subdued” we are told, “of the Arabians, the Moabites and Gileadires,” and then, again, when in difficulty, made it over with its fortified places, to the king of the Arabians. Among the cities which Alexander took from the king of the Arabians, are cities throughout Moab, both in that part in which they had succeeded to Israel, and their proper territory south of the Arnon.

The evil passions of the heart break out in various forms; but the Lord looks to our motives, as well as our conduct. Those that deal cruelly, shall be cruelly dealt with. Other nations were reckoned with for injuries done to men; Judah is reckoned with for dishonour done to God. Judah despised the law of the Lord; and he justly gave them up to strong delusion; nor was it any excuse for their sin, that they were the lies, the idols, after which their fathers walked. The worst abominations and most grievous oppressions have been committed by some of the professed worshippers of the Lord. Such conduct leads many to unbelief and vile idolatry.