So I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening: and I did in the morning as he had commanded me.

So I spoke to the people in the morning: and at evening my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.

And I speak unto the people in the morning, and my wife dieth in the evening, and I do in the morning as I have been commanded.

So in the morning I was teaching the people and in the evening death took my wife; and in the morning I did what I had been ordered to do.

Therefore, I spoke to the people in the morning. And my wife died in the evening. And in the morning, I did just as he had instructed me.

At even my wife died - The prophet's wife was a type of the city, which was to him exceedingly dear. The death of his wife represented the destruction of the city by the Chaldeans; see Ezekiel 24:21, where the temple is represented to be the desire of his eyes, as his wife was, Ezekiel 24:16.

So I spoke to the people in the morning: and at evening my wife died; and I did (r) in the morning as I was commanded.
(r) Meaning the morning following.

So I spake unto the people in the morning,.... Did the duty of his office as a prophet; exhorted and instructed the people, particularly informed them of what had been said to him by the Lord, the evening or night before, concerning the death of his wife, and how he was to behave under such a providence; which he told them of before hand, that, when it came to pass, they might have a further proof of his being a true prophet of the Lord:
and at even my wife died; suddenly, as it was said she should; this shows who is meant by the desire of his eyes, and what by the taking it away;
and I did in the morning as I was commanded; neither moaned, nor sighed, nor wept, nor shed a tear, nor used any of the common ceremonies of mourning, but dressed and ate as at other times, as he was ordered to do; this was the next morning after his wife died. So the Syriac version,
"in the morning of the other day;''
and the Arabic version,
"in the morning of the following day.''
Thus whatever the Lord commands is to be done, though ever so contrary to the customs of men, or to natural inclinations and affections.

I spake - Told them what I expected would be.