| Geneva Study Bible That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten. Wesley's Notes 1:4 Palmer - worm - Four sorts of insects, are here mentioned, which succeeded each other, and devoured all that might be a support to the Jews, whence ensued a grievous famine. King James Translators' Notes That which the palmerworm...: Heb. The residue of the palmerworm Scofield Reference Notes [1] palmerworm The palmerworm, locust, etc., are thought to be different forms, at different stages of development, of one insect. The essential fact is that, according to the usual method of the Spirit in prophecy, some local circumstance is shown to be of spiritual significance, and is made the occasion of a far-reaching prophecy (e.g.) Isa 7:1-14 where the Syrian invasion and the unbelief of Ahaz give occasion to the great prophecy of verse 14. Here in Joel a plague of devouring insects is shown to have spiritual significance Joel 1:13,14 and is made the occasion of the prophecy of the day of the Lord, not yet fulfilled. See Scofield Note: "Isa 2:12". This is more developed in Joel 2., where the literal locusts are left behind, and the future day of Jehovah fills the scene. The whole picture is of the end-time of this present age, of the "times of the Gentiles" Lk 21:24 Rev 16:14 of the battle of Armageddon Rev 16:14 19:11-21 of the regathering of Israel. See Scofield Note: "Rom 11:26" and of kingdom blessing. It is remarkable that Joel, coming at the very beginning of written prophecy (B.C. 836), gives the fullest view of the consummation of all written prophecy. The order of events is: (1) The invasion of Palestine from the north by Gentile world-powers headed up under the Beast and false prophet Joel 2:1-10 "Armageddon," See Scofield Note: "Rev 16:14". (2) the Lord's army and destruction of the invaders Joel 2:11 Rev 19:11-21. (3) the repentance of Judah in the land Joel 2:12-17 See Scofield Note: "Dt 30.3. (4) the answer of Jehovah Joel 2:18-27 (5) the effusion of the Spirit in the (Jewish) "last days" Joel 2:28,29. (6) the return of the Lord in glory and the setting up of the kingdom Joel 2:30-32 Acts 15:15-17 by the regathering of the nation and judgment of the nations Joel 3:1-16 (7) full and permanent kingdom blessing Joel 3:17-21 Zech 14:1-21. See Scofield Note: "Mt 25:32". Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 4. This verse states the subject on which he afterwards expands. Four species or stages of locusts, rather than four different insects, are meant (compare Le 11:22). Literally, (1) the gnawing locust; (2) the swarming locust; (3) the licking locust; (4) the consuming locust; forming a climax to the most destructive kind. The last is often three inches long, and the two antennę, each an inch long. The two hinder of its six feet are larger than the rest, adapting it for leaping. The first "kind" is that of the locust, having just emerged from the egg in spring, and without wings. The second is when at the end of spring, still in their first skin, the locusts put forth little ones without legs or wings. The third, when after their third casting of the old skin, they get small wings, which enable them to leap the better, but not to fly. Being unable to go away till their wings are matured, they devour all before them, grass, shrubs, and bark of trees: translated "rough caterpillars" (Jer 51:27). The fourth kind, the matured winged locusts (see on [1129]Na 3:16). In Joe 2:25 they are enumerated in the reverse order, where the restoration of the devastations caused by them is promised. The Hebrews make the first species refer to Assyria and Babylon; the second species, to Medo-Persia; the third, to Greco-Macedonia and Antiochus Epiphanes; the fourth, to the Romans. Though the primary reference be to literal locusts, the Holy Spirit doubtless had in view the successive empires which assailed Judea, each worse than its predecessor, Rome being the climax. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:1-7 The most aged could not remember such calamities as were about to take place. Armies of insects were coming upon the land to eat the fruits of it. It is expressed so as to apply also to the destruction of the country by a foreign enemy, and seems to refer to the devastations of the Chaldeans. God is Lord of hosts, has every creature at his command, and, when he pleases, can humble and mortify a proud, rebellious people, by the weakest and most contemptible creatures. It is just with God to take away the comforts which are abused to luxury and excess; and the more men place their happiness in the gratifications of sense, the more severe temporal afflictions are upon them. The more earthly delights we make needful to satisfy us, the more we expose ourselves to trouble. | 
