O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee - As the invading armies are fast approaching, the prophet calls on the inhabitants of Jerusalem to sound an alarm, and collect all the people to arm themselves and go against the invaders. They are called the children of Benjamin, because Jerusalem was in the tribe of Benjamin.
Tekoa - Was a city about twelve miles to the south of Jerusalem.
Beth-haccerem - Was the name of a small village situated on an eminence between Jerusalem and Tekoa. On this they were ordered to set up a beacon, or kindle a large fire, which might be seen at a distance, and give the people to understand that an enemy was entering the land.
Out of the north - From Babylon. The Scythians. - Dahler.
Jeremiah addresses the men of Benjamin, either as being his own tribesmen, or as a name appropriate to the people of Jerusalem, which also was situate in the tribe of Benjamin.
Gather yourselves to flee - Gather your goods together to remove them to a place of safety.
Blow the trumpet in Tekoa - The name of Tekoa is almost identical with the verb “to blow”: but it was not chosen merely for the alliteration, but because it was the last town in Judaea (about 11 miles south of Jerusalem), upon the very border of the desert, where the fugitives would halt.
A sign - Rather, a signal.
Beth-haccerem - Or, the “Vineyard-House,” which was situated halfway between Jerusalem and Tekoa.
Appeareth - “Is bending over;” is bending forward in eagerness to seize its prey.