So two [or] three cities wandered unto one city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.
Ver. 8. So two or three cities wandered] Necessity is a hard weapon: and want of water will make men wander far and part with anything for it; as Lysimachus did with his kingdom, sacrificing his estate to the service of his life. Oh that we were as solicitous for our souls! Those good souls, Psalms 84:7, went "from strength to strength," travelled many a mile to see God's face, though but in that dark glass of the ceremonies. The good Shunammite went every sabbath and new moon to the prophet. Our forefathers were unweariable in making out after the means, which we vilipend, and make no reckoning of.
To drink water] Rain water; for in those countries (as Jerome testifieth, who lived there many years, and therefore knew the situation and nature thereof) they have but few springs, and no considerable rivers, but only Jordan; and are therefore glad to keep rain water in cisterns for all uses; being much afflicted with thirst and drought, if it rain not.
But they were not satisfied] Either because there was not enough to be had; or by a singular curse of unsatisfiableness, see Haggai 1:6. See Trapp on " Hag 1:6 "
Yet have ye not returned unto me] Usque ad me, so far as me. You have made some faint overtures and essays of returning, but they have not reached out unto me; they have not amounted to the full measure of a sound conversion. Plectimur, may you well say, nec tamen flectimur: corripimur, sed non corrigimur (Salvian). God rained not upon us that we might return unto him, and learn righteousness, Isaiah 26:10, that we might pour out a prayer when his chastening was upon us, Isaiah 26:16; Isaiah 26:18. But we, alas, have done nothing less; "we have turned every one to his own way"; and done what in us lies to defeat God and undo ourselves by our incorrigibleness and uncurableness.