Zephaniah 2:7 - Exposition.

And the coast shall be for the remnant, etc.; it will be a tract .for the remnant. The district will be the possession of the Jews, who should be restored to their land ( Obadiah 1:19 ). Zephaniah virtually predicts the Captivity and the return, and intimates that the destruction of hostile nations is the means of advancing true religion. They shall feed their flocks thereupon . Where the Philistine cities stood shall be the pasture ground of the Israelites' flocks. Ashkelon . One city is mentioned as a type of all. For . This is the reason why they are permitted to triumph thus. Shall visit. In a good sense, to protect and cherish ( Exodus 4:31 ; Ruth 1:6 ; Psalms 8:4 ; Zechariah 10:3 ; Luke 1:68 ). Turn away ( reverse ) their captivity. Bring them back from their exile to their own land (comp. Joel 3:1 ; Micah 4:10 ). The phrase, however, is often (and possibly here) used metaphorically for the abolishment of misery and the restoration to a happy condition (comp. Deuteronomy 30:3 ; Job 42:10 (15); Jeremiah 29:14 ). The full accomplishment of this prophecy concerning the overthrow of Philistia is of a spiritual nature, and must be looked for in the Messianic era, when the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of Christ; and so in the subsequent predictions.