For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?
Ver. 22. For their calamity shall rise suddenly.] When they think they have made all cock sure. "Had Zimri peace that killed his master?" Had Absalom; Sheba; Rodolphus, Duke of Suevia; Sanders; Story; Parry; Campian; the gunpowder plotters; Raviliac, &c.? Canute, the first Danish king, caused the false Edric's head, that had been his agent, to be set upon the highest part of the Tower of London, therein performing his promise of advancing him above any lord in the land. a James I, king of Scots, was murdered in Perth by Walter, Earl of Athol, in hopes to attain the crown. Crowned indeed he was, but not as his witches and sorcerers had ambiguously insinuated, with the crown of that realm, but with a crown of red-hot iron clapt upon his head, being one of the tortures wherewith he ended at once his wicked days and desires. b
And who knoweth the ruin of them both?] i.e., That both God and the king will inflict upon the rebels; or "of them both" - i.e., both of the king, if a tyrant, and of those that seditiously move against him.
a Daniel's Hist.
b Speed's Chron.