Isa. 17 Damascus, Samaria, Israel, and their cities, to be ruined by the Assyrians, Isa. 17:1–5. A remnant shall consider and repent, Isa. 17:6–8. The rest plagued for their impiety, Isa. 17:9–11. The woe of Israel’s enemies, Isa. 17:12–14.

The burden of Damascus; both of that city and kingdom, as appears from Isa. 17:2–3. It shall be a ruinous heap: this was fulfilled by Tiglath-pileser, 2 Kings 16:9, although afterwards it was re-edified and possessed by another sort of inhabitants.

The cities of Aroer; of that part of Syria called Aroer, from a great city of that name; of which see Deut. 2:36, Deut. 3:12. These cities were possessed by the Reubenites and Gadites, whom Tiglath-pileser carried into captivity, 1 Chron. 5:26.

The fortress; either Samaria, their chief fortress; or all their fortress or strong holds, the singular number being put for the plural; or all their strength and glory, which answers to the kingdom in the next clause.

Shall be made thin; or, shall be emptied, as this word is rendered, Isa. 19:6.

Reapeth the ears with his arm; taking care, as far as may be, that all may be gathered in, and nothing left. So shall the whole body of the ten tribes be carried away captive, some few gleanings only being left of them, as it is in the harvest.

Some few Israelites were left after their captivity, who joined themselves to the kingdom of Judah, and were carried captive to Babylon with them, from whence also they returned with them, as we find in the history of their return in Ezra and Nehemiah.

Shall a man, those few men that are left, look to his Maker, they shall sincerely respect, and trust, and worship (all which are understood by looking to) God, and God only, as the next verse explains it. Their afflictions shall at last bring them to repentance.

Not look to the altars; not resort or trust to them, or to the worship offered to idols upon them. The work of his hands; their own inventions; for otherwise the altars made by God’s command were the work of men’s hands.

In that day; in the day of Jacob’s trouble, of which he spake Isa. 17:4, and continueth his speech unto these words, and afterwards. An uppermost branch; which he that pruneth the tree neglecteth, either because he esteems it useless and inconsiderable, or because he cannot reach it.

Thou, O Israel. The Rock of thy strength; that God Who was thy only sure defence. Pleasant plants; excellent flowers and fruit trees. Strange slips; fetched from far countries. and therefore highly esteemed. The sense is, Thou shalt use much industry and cost, but to no purpose, as it follows.

In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish; thou shalt from day to day, beginning early in the morning, use all care and diligence that what thou hast planted and sown may thrive; and thou shalt see some effect of thy labours, and some…

This is a new prophecy, added for the present support and comfort of God’s people. The multitude of many people, combined together against Judah. It matters not whether you understand this of the Syrians and Israelites who were united against Judah, or of the Assyrians, whose army consisted of vast…

Shall rebuke them; not in words, but deeds; shall discomfit and overthrow them. Like a rolling thing, which is easily moved by every slight touch, and much more by a violent wind. Or, like a wisp, to wit, of straw, which is sometimes rolled together.

Behold at evening-tide trouble; and before the morning he is not: at even there is a great terror and consternation among God’s people, for fear of their enemies; and ere the morning cometh, their enemies are cut off by the hand of God.