Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell [in the dust]: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth [them].
Ver. 18. Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria] This apostrophe to the king is emphatic. He is given to know that his nobles and officers, Micah 5:4,6; Micah 7:14, his councillors of state, and greatest politicians, should be benighted, and not know what counsel to give or course to take. Or, they slumber, that is, they are dead, as Psalms 77:6. And this is more agreeable to that which followeth:
Thy nobles shall dwell in the dust] The Vulgate hath it sepelientur, shall be buried. Others, iacebunt, shall lie on the ground, like beasts, through fear and consternation of mind: 1 Samuel 28:20, "Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid."
Thy people is scattered upon the mountains] Diffused and dispersed abundantly; as sheep without a shepherd, whereof none being wiser than other, no man gathereth them into the sheep cotes of better order.