CHAP. X. V. 1-4. These verses belong to the subject of the preceding chapter: er: yet they are so expressed, as to include the rulers and magistrates of the Jews, as well as those in Israel; and indeed those of every nation who pervert authority in a similar way. ( Note , 9:8-12.) The persons, whose conduct drew on them the denounced woe, enacted laws which authorized grievous oppression, and decided causes in the most iniquitous manner: and their edicts and decrees were enrolled by the scribes and writers, and prescribed for rules and precedents in the inferior courts. This was purposely done, in order that they might rob the poor, poor, and seize upon the property of the orphans and widows, under color of law and justice. ( Notes , 1:16-20. 3:12-15. 1 Kings 21:8-14. Ps . 94:1-7,20,21. Am . 5:10
-13. Mic . 2:1-5.3:8-12.7:1-4.) -The Lord, indeed, still acknowledged Israel as his people. He had yet a small remnant, especially among the poor, who were peculiarly exposed to these oppressions. But he was about to send the Assyrians from afar to execute his vengeance, and what would the oppressors do in those desolations? whither would they flee for safety? or to whose keeping would they commit their ill-gotten riches, in which they gloried, and with which they then lived in splendor and luxury? ( Notes , 2:19-21. Prov. 10:2,3. 11:4.
Jam . 5:1-6.) For the Lord would certainly withdraw his protection: and then | the very prisoners, s, or men who had been inortally wounded and left among the slain, would prevail against them. ( Jer . 37:10.) These strong expressions denote how easily and certainly they would be ruined, by the continued anger and powerful vengeance of God.- Day of visitation. (3) Marg. Ref . f.-Notes, Gen. 21:1,2. Jer . 10:12-15, ν . 15.
V. 5, 6. The prophet here enters on anoth
10 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;
11 Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
13 For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it ; and by my wisdom, for I am prudent: and I have removed the
the streets. ( Notes , 25:10-12. 51:21-23. Міс . 7:8-10.) 'God often prospers wicked and ty'rannical governments to be his scourge, and 'the instruments of his vengeance upon others: 'and when they have done the work which 'God allotted them, he then punishes them for 'those very oppressions, which they have ex'ercised against their neighbors, and to which 'they were carried on purely by their own am'bition and covetousness; although Providence 'made them serviceable to better ends and pur'poses.' Lowth.
V. 7. The Lord would give Sennacherib power and success, and use him as his instrument in the work assigned him: but Sennacherib would not do do it, it, because the Lord commanded him, or as his willing servant. He had no intention or inclination of that kind; but was actuated entirely by enormous ambition, rapacity, and cruelty. The wickedness 'of the facts being altogether their own; and 'the good ends served by them to be wholly 'ascribed to God.' Lowth . (2 Kings 9:7. Hos .
er subject: and some think that this predic- 1:4.) 'Here is declared the difference of the tion was delivered after the ruin of Samaria, 'work of God, and of the wicked, in one very in the reign of Hezekiah; because Sennache- 'thing and act: for God's intention is to chasrib is introduced, boasting of what he had 'tise them for their amendment; and the Asdone to that city. But perhaps this also was 'syrians' is to destroy them, to enrich them
spoken prophetically, as what the Lord foreknew he would say, when marching against Jerusalem: and this prophecy might have been delivered, when Ahaz was depending on the assistance of the king of Assyria; both to warn the people of their danger from that quarter, and to encourage them to place their confidence in God. (Note, 2 Kings 16:7-9) He here pointed out the Assyrian king, as the rod with which he meant to correct his offending people; and his righteous indignation was the staff, with which that prince would beat and bruise them. "The staff, that is in their hand, is my indignation." ( Notes , 15. 14: 3-6. Ps . 17-13-15, υ. 14. 125:3. Jer . 51:2025.) For God would send that insolent conqueror against a nation, which professed to worship him, but which was generally ungodly; the most of whom would comply with Hez
'selves: thus, in respect of God's judgment, it 'is God's work; but, in respect of their own 'malice, it is the work of the devil.' ( Notes , 47: 6. Gen. 50:20. Ps . 76:10. Acts 2:22-24. 4:2328.)
V. 8-11. ( Notes , 2 Kings 18:19.) Sennacherib proudly deemed his princes, or his vas sals , or tributaries, altogether equal to other kings, as it was common at that time for a conqueror to be styled "king of kings." He had subjected one kingdom after another, and none of their deities had been able to defend them against him; ( Marg . Ref . s-u;) yet their images were more splendid than any to be found in Jerusalem: he therefore supposed that he should easily conquer that city and her idols; either numbering JEHOVAH among them, or utterly disregarding him. ( Note , 2 Chr . 32:15.) --Shalmaneser took and destroyed Samaria;
ekiah's reformation, in a hypocritical manner. but probably Sennacherib had some share in And he would commission him to take the the victory, the whole honor of which he spoil and prey, and to debase and trample arrogated to himself. (Note. 2 Kings 17:1 upon them as if they were the very mire of ill-6.)
bounds of the people, and have & robbed || their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man :
14 And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as if it were no wood.
16 Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.
17 And the Light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One " for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;
g 2 Kings 16:8. 18:15. Hos.13: 15,16.
* Or, many people.
h 5:8. Job 31:25. Prov. 18:12. 21:6,7. Hos. 12:7,8. Nah, 2: 9-13. 3:1. Hab. 2:5-11.
15. Ps. 17-13,14. Jer. 51:2023. Ez. 28:9. Rom. 9:20,21. Or, a rod should shake them. Or, that which is not wood.
7,29,36. 2 Chr. 32:21. 19:5.30:30-33.33:10-14.
m 60:19. Ps. 27:1. 84:11. Rev. 21:23. 22:5.
n 30:27,28. 33:14. 64:1,2, 66:15, 16,24. Num. 11:1-3. 16:35. Ps. 18:8. 21:9. 50:3. 83:14,15. Jer. 4:4. 7:20. Mal. 4:1-3. Matt. 3:12. 2 Thes. 1:7-9. Heb. 12:29.
5:17. 14:24-27.29:5-8.37:6, ο 27:4. Ps. 97:3. Nah. 1:5,6,10.
V. 12-14. (Notes, 28-34. 14:24-27.2 Kings 19:22,25,35--37.) This haughty conqueror supposed, that his success was wholly owing to the number and valor of his troops, and to his own wise and prudent conduct and extraordinary courage. ( Notes , Ez. 28:2--5, 12-15 . Dan . 4:28-37. 5:18--28.) The taking and plundering of cities was to him like gathering eggs, when the timorous bird has flown away and left them: and so sure and easy was his success, that no one even dared to interrupt him, or to complain of him; or so much as to come and see what was going forward. ( Marg . Ref . h.)
V. 15. ( Note , 5,6.) These animated interrogations have a peculiar energy. JEHOVAH as much employed the power which he had given to Sennacherib for certain purposes, as a man does a tool which he has formed for that use. But could an axe be conceived to glory over him, who hewed with it? or a saw, to menace
p 33,34. 9:18. 2 Kings 19:28. Jer. 21:14. Ez. 20:47,48.
Heb. from the soul and even to the flesh.
|| Heb. number. 37:56. q 1:9. 4:2,3. 6:13. 37.4,31,32. Ezra 9:14. Rom. 9:27-29. r2 Kings 16:7. 2 Chr. 28:20. Hos. 5:13. 14:3.
s 17:7,8. 26:3,4. 48:1,2. 50:10. t 9:13. 19:22. 55:7. Hos. 6:1. 7: 10,16. 14:1. Acts 26:20. 2 Cor.
3:14-16
u 9:6.
v1 Kings 4:20. Hos. 1:10. Rom. 9:27. 11:5,6. Rev. 20:8. x 6:13.
Heb. in, or, among . y 6:11. 8:8. 27:10,11. 28:15-22. Dan. 9:27. Rom. 9:28.
** Or, in. Gen. 18:25. Acts 17. 31. Rom. 2:5 3:5,6.
z 14:26,27, 24:1, &c. Dan. 4:35
the Lord determined to enfeeble his overgrown power and prosperity, and to consume his stoutest commanders and forces, and all that in which he gloried. For the holy Protector and Light of Israel, would be a fire to destroy the Assyrian army, as "briers and thorns;" and he would level them to the ground as a conflagration does the forest, or the crop of corn: yea, he would destroy them, both "soul and body," absolutely and finally; and the desolations would be as "when a standard-bearer fainteth," and all who followed his standard are put to confusion, and cut in pieces. So that the few men, who should remain of that army, which had been numerous as the trees in a large forest, might be numbered and registered even by a child. ( Notes , 9:18-21.30:2933.33:10-13. 2 Kings 19:35-37. Nah . 1:9-13.)
him who moved it? or a rod, him that correct-after another. Under Ahaz they sought the
ed another with it? or a staff, as if it were not mere wood, to strike the man who used it? The absurdity in these instances would not be greater, than it was for Sennacherib to vaunt himself against JEHOVAH; on whom he was far more dependent, and to whom he was immensely more inferior, than the axe or the saw to him who used them. Yet, ignorant of him by whom he lived and moved, and forgetful of his own weakness, he defied the God of Israel, and expected to overcome him! ( Notes , 45:9,10. Rom . 9:19--21.)
No wood.] 'The Hebrews have a peculiar 'way of joining the negative particle לא to a 'noun, to signify in a strong manner a total 'negation of the thing expressed by the noun.' Bp. Lowth. (Job 26:2,3. Am . 6:13. Heb.)
V. 16-19. To convince the proud worm of his madness, and to promote his own glory,
V. 20. The Jews and Israelites were wont to rely on the assistance of the neighboring nations, and they were smitten by them one protection of the Assyrians, who were employed to correct or punish them. ( Notes , 7:17-19. 1 Kings 16:7-9.) But the remnant who escaped Sennacherib's ravages, by the miraculous interposition of God, would renounce these vain confidences, and learn in truth to rely on "the Holy One of Israel;" for they would not only return to their habitations, from which the invaders had driven them, but to the worship and service of God also, The 'expression "in that day," is not always con'fined to the time last s spoken of, but often sig'nifies some time that shall be remarkable for 'God's mercy toward his people. Here it 'seems to point at that signal time, when there 'shall be a general conversion of the Jews to 'God.' Lowth . ( Notes , 21-23. 1:7—9. 4:2—6.17: 4--8.50:10,11. 2 Kings 19:4,30,31. Rom.11 : 1--6 .)
'expression
V. 21-23. The original of "a remnant shall
24 Therefore thus saith the Lord || tom Migron: at "Michmash he hath laid up God of hosts, a O my people that dwellest his carriages:
in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: 29. They are gone over the passage: he shall smite thee with a rod, * and shall they have taken up their lodging at P Geba; lift up his staff against thee, d after the man-Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled. ner of Egypt.
25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.
26 And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him, & according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.
27 And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed be-d cause of the anointing.
28 T He is come to 1 Aiath, he is passed
a 4:3. 12:6. 30:19. 46:13. 61:3. Heb. 12:22-24.
b 3:12,13. 33:14-16. 35:4. 37:6, 22,33-35.
с 5. 9:4. 14:29. 27:7.
*Or, but he shall lift up his staff for thee.
d. Ex. 1:10-16. 14:9,21-31. 15: 6-10.
e 33,34. 12:1,2. 14:24,25. 17:12
Ex. 14:25,26. Neh. 9:10,11. Ps. 106:10,11. Hab. 3:7-15. Rev. 11:18. 19:15.
i 9:4. 14:25. 2 Kings 18:13,14. Nah. 1:9-13.
Heb. remove.
k 37:35. 2 Sam. 1:21. Ps. 2:13,6, marg . 20.6. 45:7. 84:9, 39; 20,&c. 105:15. 132:10,17,18. Dan. 9:24-26. Luke 4:18.
14.30:30-33.31:4-9.37:36- John 1:41. marg . Acts 4:27.
33. Ps. 37:10. Heb. 10:37.
f See on 16-19.-Ps. 35:23.
g 9:4. Judg. 7:25. Ps. 83:11.
h See on d. 24.-11:16. 51:9,10.
1 John 2:20,27.
1 Josh. 7:2. Ai. Neh. 11:31. Aija.
return," is Shear - jashub , the name given to one of Isaiah's sons, in confirmation of the perpetuity of God's promises. ( Note , 7:3.) 7:3.) The descendants of Abraham, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, according to the promises of God, were indeed become numerous as "the sand of the sea:" yet in general they had forsaken him; and no more than a remnant , even on this great occasion, would return to him.
Not only did Sennacherib execute vengeance on many of the people; but further judgments were decreed , and predicted, which, in strict and awful justice, would make them desolate for their sins: for the Lord had determined to make a consumption of the people throughout the land. The use, which the apostle makes of this passage shews that the Holy Spirit intended likewise to foretel more important events; even the conversion of a remnant of the Jews to Christ, and the execution of righteous vengeance upon the bulk of the nation which rejected him. ( Notes , 6:13. 28:21,22. Dan . 9:2427.
Rom . 9:24–29.)
V. 24-26. The promises of deliverance 'from Sennacherib's invasion are made only 'to the inhabitants of Zion and Jerusalem; (37: 32,33.) a type of the elect among the Jews, 'in whom God will fulfil the promises made to 'their fathers. See Rom . 11:7,28.' Lowth . The other inhabitants of Judea seem to have suffered very grievous things from the Assyrian in
30 Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor " Anathoth.
31 Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.
32 As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
33 Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall blop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.
34 And he shall cut down the thickets of the forests with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by & a mighty one.
m 1 Sam. 14:2.
n 1 Sam. 13:2,5. 14:5,31.
o 1 Sam. 13:23. 14:4.
p Josh. 21:17. 1 Kings 15:22. q Josh. 18:24,25. 1 Sam. 7:17. 15:34. Jer. 31:15. Hos. 5:8. r Judg. 19:12-15. 1 Sam. 11:4. 13:2. Hos. 9:9. 10:9.
Heb. Cry shrill with thy
voice.
s 1 Sam. 25:41.
t Judg. 18:7,29.
u Josh. 21:18. 1 Kings 2:26. Jer. 1:1. 32:8.
x Josh. 15:31. Madmannah. y 1 Sam. 21:1. 22:19. Neh. 11:
destruction of their enemies: in the same manner, as he destroyed the Midianitish oppressors, by by the enfeebled Israelites, and overwhelmed Pharaoh and the Egyptians in the Red Sea. ( Notes , 9:4,5. Ex . 14:21-31. Judg . 7:16-25.)
V. 27. Marg . Ref . Nah . 1:11--13.- Be cause, &c.] 'For the sake of God's chosen 'people, (especially the remnant mentioned 20, 21.) called his anointed, Ps . 105:15. and like'wise for the preservation of the kingdom and 'priesthood, both which offices were conferred by the ceremony of anointing. But without 'question the Messias, the Anointed in an emi'nent sense, is principally intended here. ... God preserved the kingdom of Judah from ut'ter destruction, because the Messias was to 'come from that tribe.' Lowth . - "The yoke of 'servitude shall be taken from thy neck, be'cause thou art a people consecrated to me, for 'the sake of that Messiah, mine Anointed, 'which shall descend from thee.' Bp . Hall .-'Because of the promise made to that kingdom, 'whereby Christ's kingdom was prefigured.'
V. 28--34. These verses contain a prophetical description of Sennacherib's march towards Jerusalem, when he desolated all before him, and threatened that city with immediate destruction. The consternation and flight of the inhabitants of the cities, near to Jerusalem, is also represented in a very animated and sub
vaders; while Jerusalem, or Zion, and those lime manner. But when he was come almost who took shelter there, were preserved. ( Notes , to the walls of the city, and began to "shake 28-34.33:5-22.2 Kings 19:30,31.) Senna-his hand against the daughter of Zion," as mencherib and the Assyrians, (after the manner of acing her destruction, with a special enmity Pharaoh and the Egyptians,) threatened the to the temple and the worship there perform