Isa 9:8-21 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Isa 9:8-12: 9:8-12 This prophecy of judgment was against the northern kingdom of Israel. Despite God’s message that the Assyrians would crush them (chs 7–8 ), the people of Samaria were foolishly confident that they could withstand the siege.

Summary for Isa 9:8-12: 9:8-12 ^a This prophecy of judgment was against the northern kingdom of Israel. Despite God’s message that the Assyrians would crush them (chs 7–8 ^b), the people of Samaria were foolishly confident that they could withstand the siege.
9:10 ^c In their proud confidence, Israel thought it would replace whatever was lost with more expensive items (see 2:13-16 ^d; Amos 5:11 ^e).
9:11 ^f Rezin’s enemies were the Assyrians (7:4 ^g, 17 ^h; 8:4 ⁱ). Rezin was king of Syria (see ch 7 ^j).
Summary for Isa 9:13-17: 9:13-17 ^k God’s punishment was intended to bring repentance, not destruction; but Israel was apostate and refused to repent or seek the Lord.
9:17 ^l Even widows and orphans, ordinarily objects of God’s compassion (1:17 ^m, 23 ⁿ; 10:2 ^o), became objects of his wrath when they were unrepentant.
Summary for Isa 9:18-21: 9:18-21 ^p Following the decimation of leadership, civil war would destroy the nation like an out-of-control brushfire.
9:21 ^q Manasseh and Ephraim represent the northern kingdom as its largest tribes. The two largest tribes of Israel and Judah fought amongst themselves. This is probably a reference to the war between Judah and the alliance of Syria and Israel, which is commonly called the Syro-Ephraimite War (7:1-12 ^r). In that conflict, brothers savagely fought against brothers (2 Chr 28 ^s).