12:9–11 This next section is laden with grief. The root “mourn” (spd) occurs five times in as many verses (12:10–14). Yet this mourning is God’s good gift, a necessary accompaniment to repentance (see also Joel 2:12; Isa. 22:12). This blessing will enable the people of Jerusalem to turn back to God. While God sets out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem (v. 9), God will transform the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (vv. 10–14). Then the Lord will provide them with the means to cleanse them from sin and impurity (13:1).

While the basic outline of this plan to save Jerusalem is clear, there are many confusing features. The oracle says nothing about assassinating or executing someone with the sword or javelin. Therefore we, the readers, do not know how or why someo…