I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: [and] the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
Ver. 7. I saw the tents of Cushan] King of Mesopotamia, who tyrannized over Israel eight years after Joshua's death; God selling his people to him for nought, and not increasing his wealth by their price, Psalms 44:12 Judges 3:8. But delivering them in the end by that valiant Othniel, who brought the tents of Cushan under affliction or vanity. Some render it propter iniquitatem, because of iniquity, and set this sense upon it; It was for sin that God sold his people into the hands of Cushanrishathaim, and yet afterwards sent them a Saviour; why then should they now despair of a seasonable return out of captivity, though by their sins they have provoked the Lord to wrath; since if they return unto him and seek his favour, there is yet mercy with the Lord, that he may be feared? Lo, this is the right use of histories: and this is our duty, to make observations to ourselves, as did the prophet here: I saw the tents of Cushan; I considered the thing that hath been, it is the same which shall be, and that which is done is that which shall be done, &c., Ecclesiastes 1:9. Historiae fidae monitrices dicuntur παρα το ισταναι τον ρουν .
And the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble] Cortinae vel pelles, &c. When by the sword of the Lord and of Gideon they were cut off and discomfited, Judges 7:7 .