Rezin . . . and Pekah . . . went up toward Jerusalem to war against it
The confederacy against Jerusalem
The reason of this war is not stated: but from the desire of those kings to dethrone Ahaz, and place on the throne in Jerusalem another, even Ben Tabeal, it may be inferred that
Ahaz refused to join these two powers in a general rising against Assyria.
Obviously, Ahaz was well advised in not taking a step of such decided opposition to Nineveh: for had he done so, the legions of that empire would only have spread desolation in Judah twenty or thirty years earlier than they did. To a certain extent, the policy commended by Isaiah was adopted: Ahaz did not take up his stand against Assyria. The prophet, of course, wanted more. For he urged an absolute and complete neutrality, in which Ahaz would have nothing at all to do with this power. So far as
Ahaz acted on the prophet’s advice, he was successful: for this confederacy against Jerusalem proved a failure. (B. Blake, B. D.)
Ahaz and Isaiah, a contrast
Ahaz is timid and helpless, takes no position, and displays no promptitude or courage. Isaiah, on the contrary, steps forward with assurance: he is collected and calm: and his complete control of the political situation impresses us forcibly. (Prof. S. R. Driver, D. D.)
Isaiah’s interview with Ahaz
At the date of Isaiah’s interview with
Ahaz the application to Assyria was meditated, but not actually carried into effect. To understand this interview two things must be borne in mind.
Firstly, Isaiah is aware of the king’s intention to solicit aid from Assyria, but it is not openly admitted between them. Secondly, the power and resources of the allied kings, especially of Rezin, so impressed the popular imagination that they were held to be practically invincible; Isaiah views both differently; describes them as “smoked out firebrands,” and intimates that he considers the terror of the people to be unreasonable. (Prof. S. R. Driver, D. D.)
The prophet and the king
God speaks comfort to many who not only are not worthy of it, but do not so much as inquire after it. (M. Henry.)
Unsuccessful attacks upon the Christian stronghold
“We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth”: clever arguments, witty retorts, brilliant repartees, criticisms that dazzle by their brightness and exasperate by their acerbity, come and go, and Jerusalem stands, sunlit, fair, invincible. (J. Parker, D. D.)
