Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Isaiah 7:1 - 7:1
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Isaiah 7:1-9:7. Prediction of the ill success of the Syro-Israelithish invasion of Judah. Ahaz’ alliance with Assyria, and its fatal results to Judea. Yet the certainty of final representation and of the coming of Messiah.
In the Assyrian inscriptions the name of Rezin, king of Damascus, is found among the tributaries of Tiglath-pileser, of whose reign the annals of seventeen years have been deciphered. For the historical facts in this chapter, compare 2 Kings 15:37-16:9. Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel, as confederates, advanced against Jerusalem. In the first campaign they “smote Ahaz with a great slaughter” (2Ch 28:5). Their object was probably to unite the three kingdoms against Assyria. Egypt seems to have favored the plan, so as to interpose these confederate kingdoms between her own frontier and Assyria (compare Isa 7:18, “Egypt”; and 2Ki 17:4, Hoshea’s league with Egypt). Rezin and Pekah may have perceived Ahaz’ inclination towards Assyria rather than towards their own confederacy; this and the old feud between Israel and Judah (1Ki 12:16) occasioned their invasion of Judah. Ahaz, at the second inroad of his enemies (compare 2Ch 28:1-26 and 2Ki 15:37, with Isa 16:5), smarting under his former defeat, applied to Tiglath-pileser, in spite of Isaiah’s warning in this chapter, that he should rather rely on God; that king accordingly attacked Damascus, and slew Rezin (2Ki 16:9); and probably it was at the same time that he carried away part of Israel captive (2Ki 15:29), unless there were two assaults on Pekah - that in 2Ki 15:29, the earlier, and that in which Tiglath helped Ahaz subsequently [G. V. Smith]. Ahaz was saved at the sacrifice of Judah’s independence and the payment of a large tribute, which continued till the overthrow of Sennacherib under Hezekiah (Isa 37:37; 2Ki 16:8, 2Ki 16:17, 2Ki 16:18; 2Ch 28:20). Ahaz’ reign began about 741 b.c., and Pekah was slain in 738 [Winer].
Ahaz - In the first years of his reign the design of the two kings against Judah was carried out, which was formed in Jotham’s reign (2Ki 15:37).
Syria - Hebrew, Aram (Gen 10:22, Gen 10:23), originally the whole region between the Euphrates and Mediterranean, including Assyria, of which Syria is an abbreviation; here the region round Damascus, and along Mount Libanus.
Jerusalem - An actual siege of it took place, but was foiled (2Ki 16:5).