Why was Hashem standing by the Mizbe'ach?
Targum Yonasan: His honor departed from the Keruv to the Mizbe'ach. Rashi - it went out the gold Mizbe'ach in the Heichal. This is one of the 10 journeys that the Shechinah traveled.
Radak: This teaches that He did not desire the Kohanim's Avodah.
Radak citing Vayikra Rabah 33:3: He was considering the generation, Lezovcho (to slaughter it).
Malbim: It says above "b'Yom Pokdi Pish'ei Yisrael Alav u'Fakati Al Mizbechos Beis Kel v'Nigde'u Karnos ha'Mizbe'ach" (3:14). I explained that Hoshe'a ben Elah wanted to abolish service of the calves and remove the guards who stopped people from ascending to the Mikdash for the festivals. This aroused rebellion amidst the nation; they were divided into two groups (some supported Hoshe'a, and others opposed him). This caused that people slandered him to Melech Ashur, and Melech Ashur incarcerated him, besieged Shomron and exiled them. Our verse depicts that this was via Hashgachas Hashem. It is as if He stood by the Mizbe'ach in Beis Kel... (refer to 9:1:2:4).
What is the meaning of "Hach ha'Kaftor v'Yir'ashu ha'Sipim"?
Rashi: [Strike the lintel] at the top of the ceiling, and the lower Mezuzos (doorposts) will shake 1 . So the king will be killed and the officers will tremble.
Rashi citing Targum Yonasan: Kaftor is the Menorah. Melech Yoshiyah will be killed, the Bayis will be destroyed and the Azarah will be destroyed.
Radak citing Vayikra Rabah 33:3: Ha'Kaftor is Yoshiyah, and v'Yir'ashu ha'Sipim are his close officers.
Malbim: Strike the lintel of the houses of the Mizbe'ach in Beis Kel - there was a button on it. Via this the Mezuzos will shake and the house will be destroyed - "v'Nigde'u Karnos ha'Mizbe'ach" (3:14).
Radak: Hashem told an angel to strike them. Kaftor is the lintel of the Heichal on the Mezuzos. It is called Kaftor because buttons and flowers are illustrated on it. Kaftor is a Mashal for the leaders, just like the lintel is at the head of the gate.
What is the meaning of "u'Vetza'am"?
Rashi: This is like u'Fetza'am (wound them).
Rashi citing Targum Yonasan: The Kelim of the Mikdash. Vetza'am is like their money.
Radak citing his father and the grammarian R. Yonah: "U'Vetza'am" is mi'L'eil (the penultimate syllable is accented). It is a command, just like Hach. The Patach under the Tzadi is in place of a Tzeirei. Normally it has a Tzeirei, e.g. Sham'em, Shalchem.
Radak: Perhaps Vetza'am is past tense, and the Vov switches it to future. He will cut them. 'He'(the subject) is the enemy; or, it is Hashem, just like it says "Eherog". Verses often switch from third person to first person. There is a Patach under the Tzadi because the word is mi'L'eil. This is like "Yater Yado vi'Yvatze'eni" (Iyov 6:9), in which the Tzadi has a Dagesh. The Targum of "Pasos Osah Pitim" (Vayikra 2:6) is Betza Yasah Bitzu'in.
Radak citing Vayikra Rabah 33:3: This is like "u'Votze'a Berech" (Tehilim 10:3 - theft). A measure full of Aveiros, theft prosecutes. A Mashal for this is a group of idolaters, adulterers and murderers - theft 1 is equated to (as harsh as) all of them.
Malbim: Refer to 9:1:4:5.
We fixed the text of Radak based on the Midrash. (PF)
What will be "b'Rosh Kulam"?
They should wound them on their heads. (It seems that Rashi explains so - PF.)
Rashi citing Targum Yonasan: The Kelim of the Mikdash will go to captivity. They will be exiled first.
Radak: Hashem will cut those who are at the head of everyone - the Kohanim, for also they sinned against Him.
Radak citing Vayikra Rabah 33:3: Theft is at the head of all Aveiros.
Malbim: Their division into factions (refer to 9:1:1:4) was the head of their demise.
Who is "v'Acharisam"?
Radak: It is the rest of the nation. This is like "v'Acharisech ba'Cherev Tipol" (Yechezkel 23:25); it is like Amech. The nation is called Acharis, for they are the end [compared to] the head of the nation.
Malbim: The end of their turmoil - I will kill them via the sword, via Melech Ashur.
What do we learn from "Lo Yanus Lahem Nas"?
Radak: Those who are Chayav Misah, none of them will flee 1 . Some were Chayav Misah, and some were Chayav Galus.
I.e. none will be saved via fleeing, like Malbim says. (PF)
What do we learn from "v'Lo Yimalet"?
Radak: None will hide [and escape], and the enemy will not refrain from killing even one.
Malbim: Also one who escapes the enemy's sword, he will not escape - the sword will catch him (refer to 9:4:1:2).
