John Gill Commentary Ezekiel 21:13

"For there is a trial; and what if even the rod that contemneth shall be no more? saith the Lord Jehovah." — Ezekiel 21:13 (ASV)

Because it is a trial
As all afflictions and calamities are, especially to the people of God they try their faith and patience, and every other grace; and also to wicked men, they try them, whether they will repent or not: and what if the sword contemn even the rod ?
the sceptre: the king of Judah, and his family; not only come upon and cut off the people and the princes, but the royal family also; and even overturn the tribe of Judah, as the word also signifies; and subvert the government of it, of which the rod or sceptre is an ensign; this would be a sore trial indeed, and yet it is intimated that so it should be:

it shall be no more, says the Lord God ;
the rod or sceptre shall be no more in one of David's line, of the tribe Judah, until the Messiah comes, (Ezekiel 21:27) .

I should choose to render the words thus, "for it is a trial, but what?" ^F23 what an one is it? or for what is it? what will be the fruit, effect, and issue of it? if also the sceptre despises ;
the king despises the trial, the affliction, the calamity, and is not brought to repentance by it:

it shall be no more ,
or "it shall not be" ^F24 , says the Lord God ;
it, the sceptre, shall be taken away, and not restored to the house of David, until the Messiah comes.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F23: (hmw Nxb yk) "quum fuit probatio quid tandem fuit?" Junius & Tremellius, Polanus.
• F24: (hyhy al) , "non erit", V. L. "scilicet sceptrum", Mariana.