Revelation 18:9-11 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And the kings of the earth, &c. Even the chief rulers and great powers of the world, who were formerly in league with her, and supported her in her corruptions, practised her idolatries, and lived deliciously with her Shared in the pomp and luxury of her prosperous state; shall bewail her, &c. Shall not be able to afford her any support or defence, or to do any more than fruitlessly condole with her, and lament her sad condition, when they shall behold all these calamities come suddenly upon her. Saying, Alas, alas! Only expressing their astonishment at so great and wonderful a revolution, so little expected, so little thought of; that great city, that mighty city Rome was anciently termed by its inhabitants, Valentia, that is, s trong; and the word Rome itself, in Greek, signifies strength. This name was given to it by the Greek strangers. For in one hour is thy judgment come How strange, how awful, that so great and mighty a city should be so suddenly, so utterly destroyed! And the merchants of the earth Her men of business, and those skilled in the affairs of life, who gained so much by her preferments, and by employments under her; the men of riches and credit in the several nations which she had corrupted, and who were supported in their pride and luxury by her means, shall not be able to help in this hour of her distress, any more than the kings of the earth; they can only weep and mourn for her misery, and for their own loss in her destruction. Now all commerce with her shall be utterly cut off; and no man by her means shall obtain wealth, credit, or power, any more.