John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 49:27

"And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad." — Jeremiah 49:27 (ASV)

Here God himself speaks, declaring that he would be the author of the destruction Jeremiah prophesied. He uses the comparison of fire, because nothing is more violent or dreadful than burning; for we know that the greatest cities are quickly consumed and reduced to ashes when fire begins to blaze.

God then compares the city's destruction to burning. Although no actual fire was used to destroy the walls and the king's palaces, the Prophet means by this metaphor that the city's destruction would be as if it were consumed by fire.

At the same time, He reminds the faithful of God’s judgment, so that they might know that whatever happened to the Syrians proceeded from his hand. For such calamities would have been of little use unless this doctrine was also added: that God inflicts just punishments on the wickedness of men.

When he speaks of the palaces of Ben-hadad, he briefly points out the reason God would deal so severely with the Syrians. We have already said that they had always been hostile to God’s chosen people. They first tried to overthrow the kingdom of Israel; afterwards, they allied with the kings of Israel, but it was for the purpose of overthrowing the kingdom of Judah, and there were many alliances for this purpose.

Ben-hadad, as we read in 1 Kings, severely distressed the Israelites. Indeed, we learn from the history of those times that many kings of Syria bore this name, for it was a common name, just as the kings of Egypt were called Pharaohs, and other kings also took a popular name, as the Roman emperors called themselves Caesars.

We read that the last Ben-hadad was the son of Hazael, who was also the king of Syria; and as I have said, it was not a personal name. Since sacred history clearly shows that many were called Ben-hadad, the Prophet, I have no doubt, refers to the first one who began to disturb and harass the Israelites.

He then points out the reason God had determined to destroy Damascus: for in his forbearance, he had patiently endured the Syrians for a long time. But when He saw that they did not repent, but instead continually added to their sins, He finally, ascending his judgment seat, declares that the fire he would apply to the walls of Damascus would also consume the palaces of Ben-hadad—that is, the palaces from which so many evils and so much cruelty had proceeded, by which the afflicted Church had been distressed.

This is the meaning.