Jeremiah
Lamentations 4:5KJV·traditional attribution

They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets: they that were brought up in scarlet embrace dunghills.

John Calvin Reformed

The Prophet amplifies the horror by showing that even those raised on scarlet couches now embrace dunghills in desperation. Famine struck not only common folk but the pampered; they perished in the streets, glad to lie down on dung heaps. That this seems incredible tells us nothing, mothers cooked their own children for meat.

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Matthew Henry Presbyterian

Jerusalem, once splendid as fine gold, has become dull and worthless dross. The temple's gold was sullied in the fire, its precious stones scattered like rubbish through the streets. When God withdrew His presence through provoked judgment, no wonder the sanctuary itself was profaned and cast down.

AI summary

Commenting on Lamentations 4:1-12

John Gill Reformed Baptist

Those reared in luxury and dressed in scarlet now wander destitute through the streets, starving. They embrace dunghills eagerly, searching desperately for any scrap to eat, no matter how base and vile. Famine has reduced the wealthy to beggars ransacking waste heaps for survival.

AI summary