How is the gold become dim! [how] is the most pure gold changed! The stones of the sanctuary are poured out at the head of every street.
"They that are slain with the sword ... better than they that are slain with hunger"  (Lamentations 4:9).  It is better to die instantly than to suffer for a long time starving to death.  Many of the people, no doubt, prayed for a sudden death.