Lamentations 1:2
She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The deepest sorrow is revealed not just by the tears, but that even night, the time for rest, offers no solace. All those Judah once trusted, her "lovers" and "friends" – her political allies – have not only abandoned her but have turned into her enemies, highlighting the utter betrayal and isolation in her suffering.
This verse plunges us right into the heartbreak of Jerusalem's destruction. The preceding verses have set the scene, describing the city as a lonely widow after its fall, stripped of its glory. Here, the weeping isn't just a passing sadness; it's a deep, continuous sorrow that consumes even the quiet hours of night, revealing the utter abandonment by former allies who have now turned into enemies.
Why does Lamentations emphasize that the weeping happens 'in the night'? What does this tell us about the depth of Jerusalem's suffering?
The verse paints a vivid picture of intense, unrelenting grief. The weeping isn't confined to the daytime when distractions might offer a temporary reprieve. It continues into the night, the time meant for rest and oblivion.
A Grief That Never Sleeps
This detail highlights that Jerusalem's sorrow is so profound it invades even the quiet hours of darkness. There's no escape, no relief, not even in sleep. The tears are a constant reminder of her devastation, flowing unchecked onto her cheeks. It's a picture of a soul completely overwhelmed, where pain doesn't pause for the natural rhythm of day and night.
Jerusalem had 'lovers' and 'friends,' but none offered comfort. Who were these supposed allies, and why did they turn into enemies?
The verse starkly contrasts Jerusalem's expectations with her harsh reality. The 'lovers' and 'friends' weren't just casual acquaintances; they represent nations and political entities with whom Judah had formed alliances.
Broken Covenants, Bitter Enemies
In times of prosperity, these neighboring states sought friendship and treaties with Judah. However, when disaster struck, they didn't offer comfort or aid. Instead, they 'dealt treacherously' and became enemies themselves. This betrayal intensified Jerusalem's suffering, leaving her utterly alone and vulnerable.
This points to a deep disillusionment – relying on human alliances and political maneuvering proved to be a foundation built on sand, crumbling when the storm hit.
The verse paints a stark picture of Jerusalem's desolation after its destruction. The 'lovers' and 'friends' refer to the surrounding nations that Judah had sought alliances with for protection, such as Egypt, but who ultimately betrayed her or were powerless to help against the might of Babylon.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many Israelites and resettling the land with foreigners. This event marks a significant shift in regional power and leaves Judah increasingly isolated and vulnerable.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Jerusalem, taking Jehoiakim captive along with members of the royal family and many skilled individuals. This marks the beginning of Judah's Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and another large group of Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon after Jehoiakim's rebellion. Judah becomes a vassal state under stricter Babylonian control.
c. 586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
King Zedekiah rebels against Babylon, leading Nebuchadnezzar to lay siege to Jerusalem. The city walls are breached, the Temple is destroyed, and a final, devastating deportation of Judeans occurs, fulfilling prophecies of judgment.
This passage describes Jerusalem as an unfaithful 'lover' who is abandoned by her former allies, mirroring Lamentations' depiction of deserted love and broken trust.
Psalm 137:7This psalm echoes the pain of betrayal by allies, specifically mentioning the Edomites who rejoiced in Jerusalem's downfall and urged her enemies on, aligning with the theme of friends turning into enemies.
Jeremiah 38:4-5Jeremiah prophesies that Judah's 'lovers' (allies like Egypt) will betray her and leave her to face the Babylonians alone, directly illustrating the 'lovers' and 'friends' becoming enemies mentioned in Lamentations.
Job 30:9-11Job expresses a similar desolation, feeling abandoned by those he once trusted, with his 'lovers' now mocking him in his suffering, offering a personal perspective on the profound loneliness of betrayal.
barnesLamentations 1:2: "She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies."
Lovers ... friends - i. e. the states in alliance with Judaea, and all human helpers.
pooleLamentations 1:2: "She weepeth sore in the night, and her tears are on her cheeks: among all her lovers she hath none to comfort her: all her friends have dealt treacherously with her, they are become her enemies."
All her hours are hours of sadness, she doth not only mourn in the day time, but in the night also, when she should rest; her cheeks are like the grass in the morning, hanging full of drops, as if her head were a fountain of water, and her eyes rivers of tears. In her prosperity she…
The deepest sorrow is revealed not just by the tears, but that even night, the time for rest, offers no solace. All those Judah once trusted, her "lovers" and "friends" – her political allies – have not only abandoned her but have turned into her enemies, highlighting the utter betrayal and isolation in her suffering.
This verse plunges us right into the heartbreak of Jerusalem's destruction. The preceding verses have set the scene, describing the city as a lonely widow after its fall, stripped of its glory. Here, the weeping isn't just a passing sadness; it's a deep, continuous sorrow that consumes even the quiet hours of night, revealing the utter abandonment by former allies who have now turned into enemies.
This verse plunges us right into the heartbreak of Jerusalem's destruction. The preceding verses have set the scene, describing the city as a lonely widow after its fall, stripped of its glory. Here, the weeping isn't just a passing sadness; it's a deep, continuous sorrow that consumes even the quiet hours of night, revealing the utter abandonment by former allies who have now turned into enemies.
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c. 582 BC
Third Deportation to Babylon
Following further unrest and the assassination of the Babylonian governor Gedaliah, Nebuchadnezzar conducts a final deportation of Judeans from the land.
"She weeps bitterly in the night, with tears on her cheeks; among all her lovers she has none to comfort her; all her friends have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies." — The deepest sorrow is revealed not just by the tears, but that even night, the time for rest, offers no solace. All those Judah once trusted, her "lovers" and "friends" – her political allies – have…
