1. Nineveh is like a pool draining away (1-10)

The attacker (Babylon) advanced against Assyria, who had destroyed Israel and oppressed Judah, whom God will restore. Babylon's troops, clad in scarlet victory, march through the city. Nineveh's soldiers cannot hold them back. The city is emptied of people and plunder like a pool being emptied into the drain. Their once impenetrable power is now broken, their spirit of arrogant dominance removed.

2. "Where now is the lion's den?" (11-13)

Nineveh had been like a lion's den, brutalizing, eating and killing any they chose. Now where is their pride? Their power and cruelty drew the ire of the Almighty, and those he is against cannot stand. He is more powerful than all their military might, political skill and religious fervor. "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe." (Pr 29:25)