Though some interpreters think that Zorobabel may be here intended, who was descended from David, and ruled the people when they came out of Babylon, yet even the Jewish doctors themselves, as well as the Christian interpreters, understand this as a prophecy and promise of the Messiah; the prophecies and promises of whom are usually ushered in with this particle behold to stir up people's attention; and who also was the Son of David, and who is called the Branch, Isaiah 4:2, Isaiah 53:2 Malachi 3:8 Isaiah 11:1, where the reason is also given, he being there called a Rod out of the stem of Jesse, a Branch out of his root; besides that, the application to him of the name King, ordinarily applied to Christ, never given to Zerobabel, and the term righteous, make it evident. Jeremiah 33:15, he is called a Branch of righteousness, which is the same with the righteous Branch here mentioned. He is called the righteous Branch, not only because himself was righteous, therefore called the righteous One, Acts 3:14, Acts 13:35, but because he maketh his people righteous, Isaiah 53:11, Isaiah 60:21. Jesus Christ, answering the type of Melchisedec the king of Salem, and who is the King of kings, 1 Timothy 6:15, shall reign spiritually, and shall not be like Jeconiah, of whom God said he should not prosper; but he shall prosper, and shall execute justice and judgment, protecting the innocent, and defending his people throughout the world, judging the prince of the world, and by his Spirit governing his people. So as the prophet relieveth the people of God, under their oppressions by these latter kings of Judah, with the promise of the kingdom of Christ, a usual argument made use of by the prophets to comfort the people of God in those days against any evils come or coming upon them.

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