For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem.
For the inhabitant of Maroth - possibly the same as Maarath (Joshua 15:59). Perhaps a different town, lying between the previously mentioned towns and the capital, and one of those plundered by Rabshakeh on his way to it.
Waited carefully for good - i:e., for better fortune, but in vain (Calvin). Her name was indicative of her portion-bitternesses: originally applied to her for the brackish springs in the soil. Gesenius translates х chaalaah (H2470)], 'is grieved [from chuwl (H2342)] for her goods' taken away from her. This accords with the meaning of Maroth, 'bitterness,' to which allusion is made in 'is grieved.' But the antithesis favours in the English version, "waited carefully (i:e., anxiously) for good; but evil came down."
Evil came down from the Lord - not from chance.
Unto the gate of Jerusalem - after the other cities of Judah have been taken.