And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
Ver. 2. And he fenced a it.] Maceria munivit; he hedged it in, or walled it about, protecting his people from the rage of enemies wherewith that country was begirt. God was "a wall of fire to them," Zec 2:5 and a wall of water to them, as Exo 14:22 whence their land, though part of the continent, is called "an island," Isa 26:6 not only because separated from other countries, but because secured and made media insuperabilis unda.
And gathered out the stones thereof.] He not only cast out the Canaanites, but flatly forbade idolatry, and all other wickednesses, παντα τα σκανδαλα, every scandal or rock of offence that might hinder their growth, or turn them out of the way. Heb 12:13
And planted it with the choicest vine.] Heb., Sorek; the vines of which place Jdg 16:4 may seem to be the best and choicest, like as now in Germany are the vines of Herbipolis. See Jeremiah 2:21. The saints of God are noble plants, and of choice spirits; they are the chiefest personages, and of highest account in heaven.
And built a tower in the midst of it.] For both beauty, defence, and convenience. This may be meant of Jerusalem, or the temple therein, that "tower of the flock," and the "stronghold of the daughter of God's people." Mic 4:8 Religion set up in the power and purity of it, is the beauty and bulwark of any place.
And also made a winepress therein.] For the pressing of the grapes, and saving of the vine; but, alas! that labour might have been saved for any grapes he got, or wine he made.
“ Fallitur augurio spes bona saepe suo. ”
Little good is done many times by the most pressing and piercing exhortations and argumeuts used by God's faithful prophets.
And he looked that it should bring forth grapes,] i.e., Good grapes, as little thinking ut opera perdatur et spes eludatur, to have lost all his care and cost, as he did. For who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 1Co 9:7
And it brought forth wild grapes.] Stinking stuff, as the word signifieth, that which was naught and noisome: grapes of Sodom and clusters of Gomorrah. Deu 32:32-33 He looked for the "fruit of the Spirit"; but behold the "works of the flesh" Gal 5:19 No whit answerable to his continual care, culture, and custody, they made him, as one saith, a contumacious and contumelious retribution. Thus the wicked answer Heaven's kindness with an ungrateful wickedness.
a Pro Sepivit alii vertunt Fodit, pastinavit, plantavit.