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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 7:1-9

The prophet Isaiah had his commission renewed in the year that king Uzziah died, Isa. 6:1. Jotham his son reigned, and reigned well, sixteen years. All that time, no doubt, Isaiah prophesied as he was commanded, and yet we have not in this book any of his prophecies dated in the reign of Jotham; but this, which is put first, was in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham. Many excellent useful sermons he preached which were not published and left upon record; for, if all that was memorable had been... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 7:9

And the head of Ephraim is Samaria ,..... Samaria was the metropolis or chief city of Ephraim, or the ten tribes of Israel: and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son ; Pekah, son of Remaliah, was king of Samaria, as of all Israel. The sense is, that, until the sixty five years were ended, there should be no enlargement of the kingdom of Israel; Judah should not be added to it; Samaria should continue, and not Jerusalem be the metropolis of it; and Pekah, during his life, should be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 7:8-9

For the head of Syria, etc. - "Though the head of Syria be Damascus, And the head of Damascus Retsin; Yet within threescore and five years Ephraim shall be broken, that he be no more a people: And the head of Ephraim be Samaria; And the head of Samaria Remaliah's son. "Here are six lines, or three distichs, the order of which seems to have been disturbed by a transposition, occasioned by three of the lines beginning with the same word וראש verosh , "and the head," which three lines... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 7:1-9

SECTION IV . PROPHECIES CONNECTED WITH THE SYRO - ISRAELITE WAR (Isaiah 7-10:4). THE PROPHECY GIVEN TO AHAZ AT THE TIME OF THE SYRO - ISRAELITISH WAR . The Syro-Israelitish war is touched on both in Kings and Chronicles. In Kings the alliance between Rezin and Pekah is distinctly declared, as also the fact that they conjointly besieged Jerusalem ( 2 Kings 16:5 ). From Chronicles we learn that, before the siege, Ahaz was twice defeated with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 7:1-9

The prophet comforts the king. I. THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK . The kings and chieftains of Palestine were in dread of the great Assyrian power. Under the weak rule of Ahaz Judah had sunk very low, and the King of Damascus, with the King of Ephraim, think it a favorable opportunity to attack the little kingdom, and so strengthen themselves against the Assyrians. "Far down to the gulf of Akaba the shock of invasion was felt. Elath, the favorite seaport of Jehoshaphat and Uzziah, was made... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 7:1-9

The establishing power of faith. The practical force of this prophetic utterance is found in the final words of it: "If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established" ( Isaiah 7:9 ). We may see in them a declaration expressly personal . They intimate to Ahaz that if he, the present King of Judah, does not put his faith in the minister and in the message of the Lord, his kingdom and his power will suffer loss. 1. His faith was sorely tried. "His heart was moved as the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 7:9

If ye will not believe , etc. Translate, If ye will not hold this faith fast , surely ye will not stand fast . Full faith in the promise of Isaiah 7:7 would have enabled Ahaz to dispense with all plans of earthly policy, and to "stand fast in the Lord," without calling in the aid of any "arm of flesh." Distrust of the promise would lead him to take steps which would not tend to "establish" him, but would make his position more insecure (see 2 Kings 16:7-18 ; 2 Chronicles 28:16 , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 7:9

No faith, no fixity. "If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established." Faith is older than the Law. It is, in fact, the eider principle of all Divine teachings. Believe. "For he that cometh to God must believe that he is." Moreover, it is a living principle. It is not a cold precept, but is vital with trust and confidence. I. THE PROPHETIC REVELATION . It is very wonderful, and very distinct. See the succeeding ( Isaiah 7:14 ): "Therefore the Lord himself shall give... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 7:9

The faith-condition. "If ye have no faith, verily ye shall not have continuance" (Cheyne's translation). "If ye hold not fast, verily ye shall not stand fast." See the expression illustrated in Jehoshaphat, when going out to meet the army of the Moabites and Ammonites ( 2 Chronicles 20:20 ). Habakkuk gives the same sentiment in his familiar expression, "The just shall live by his faith." Faith in him and in his Word is the one universal condition that God demands, and righteously demands,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 7:9

And the head of Ephraim - The capital city of Ephraim, or of Israel.Is Samaria - This was long the capital of the kingdom of Israel. For a description of this city, see the notes at Isaiah 28:1. The meaning of the prophet is, that Samaria should continue to be the head of Ephraim; that is, Jerusalem should not be made its capital.If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established - There is considerable variety in the interpretation of these words, though the general sense is evident.... read more

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