He maketh wars to cease unto the ends of the earth,.... As at the birth of Christ, the Prince of peace, in the times of Augustus Caesar, when there was a general peace in the world, though it did not last long; and in the times of Constantine, signified by silence in heaven for half an hour, Re 8:1; when for a while there was a cessation from wars and persecution; and as will be in the latter day, and which is here chiefly designed; when nations shall learn war no more, and Christ's kingdom will take place; of which and its peace there shall be no end, Isa 2:4.
The consideration of which may serve to relieve distressed minds under terrible apprehensions of present troubles and public calamities;he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire; that is, "chariots", or "carts" or "wagons", in which, as Aben Ezra observes, arms and provision were carried for the use of soldiers; the Targum renders it "round shields" : and the destroying of all these military weapons and carriages is a token of peace, and of war's being caused to cease, there being no more use for them; with this compare Eze 39:8.
It was usual to burn the arms of enemies taken in war . twlge "plaustra", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Musculus, Gejerus, Michaelis. So the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Ethiopic and Arabic versions. Vid.
Lydium de Re Militari, l. 6. c. 4. p.