Howl, ye shepherds, and cry,.... The Targum is,"howl, ye kings, and cry;''and the rulers and governors of the nations before threatened with destruction are meant; who are here called upon to lamentation and mourning for the ruin and loss of their kingdoms; though Calvin thinks that this is an apostrophe to the Jewish nation, and the rulers of it.
It is no uncommon thing in Scripture to call kings and civil magistrates shepherds; see Jer 23:1;and wallow yourselves [in the ashes], ye principal of the flock; or "roll yourselves [in dust]", as a token of mourning; as being in the utmost distress, and incapable of helping themselves, and redressing the grievances of their people; and therefore lie down and tumble about as in the greatest anxiety and trouble, the Targum is,"cover your heads with ashes, ye mighty of the people;''meaning those who were in the highest posts of honour and profit; the chief as to authority and power, riches and wealth;for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; the time is come when they who were the fat of the flock, and were nourished up for slaughter, should be slain.