Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

2:6 river gates. The Khoser River flowed through Nineveh; north of the city were dams, most likely with gates to regulate the flow of this river. The besieging coalition could easily have closed the gates (cutting off this water supply), waited until a considerable quantity of water collected, and then opened the gates. The resulting mass of water crashing against and through Nineveh would have done much damage to portions of the city's wall, system of gates, and internal structures, thus greatly aiding the besiegers. Another river that probably flowed through Nineveh was the Tebiltu, which could have been used by the coalition in the same manner. The destruction caused by the waters no doubt was a factor contributing to the short length of the siege--only three months. The palace melts away because of the floodwaters.

2:8 like a pool. See v. 6. Halt . . . they cry. Nahum places the reader in Nineveh as the city is being entered and overrun by the coalition forces. The reader "sees" the fleeing inhabitants and "hears" some of the Assyrian commanders crying out, "Halt! Stand and fight," but none turns back to do so. The Assyrians had terrified many, but now they themselves are filled with terror.

2:9 silver . . . gold. Nineveh was filled with tremendous wealth, due to the plunder seized during numerous military campaigns and the tribute received over the many years Assyria ruled the Near East.