1:1–22 How lonely sits the city. Jerusalem was lonely, its people mourning (v. 2), forsaken by formerly friendly nations (v. 2), in captivity (v. 3), uprooted from their land (v. 3), their temple violated (v. 10). The multitude of sins (vv. 5, 8) had brought this judgment from the righteous God (v. 18). 1:1 How like a widow. Verses 1–11 vividly portray the city like a bereft and desolate woman, as often in other Scriptures (cf. Ezek. 16, 23; Mic. 4:10, 13). a slave. Judah was taken captive to serve