The Pulpit Commentary — Isaiah — Volume 1 — Section 137

EXPOSITION. B.C. 743 andfs.o. 727. The march on Jeru- CHAPTER VII. salem appears to have fallen somewhat late Vere. 1-9.-THE PROPHECY GIVEN TO in bis reign (aboots.c. 733). Bezin the King ABAZ AT THE T1~_6DlQo.lll.RAELl'i:,IS.!l of Syria. Rezin is mentioned o.s King of 'JI""-~ "T!ieSyro-Ieraelitish war is touched Damascus by Tiglath-Pileser II. in several of his inscriptions. In one, which seems to on both in Kings and Chronicles. In Kings belong to s.c. 732 or 731, he states that he the alliar.ce between Rezin end Pekah is defeated Rezin and slew him. Pekah the distinctly dP,cla1·ed, as u:!sollie1'acT£1iat 'they son of Bemaliah (see 2 Kings xv. 25). conjointly besieged Jerusalem (2 Kings xvi. Pekah had been an officer under Pekahiau, 5). From Chronicles we learn that, before the son and successor of lHenahem ; but the siege, Ahe.z was twice defeated with had revolted, put Pekahfoh to death in his pulace, and seized the crown. It is probable great loss, once by the Syrians (2 Chron. that he n11d Rczin were anxious to form 11 xxviii. 5), and once by the Israelites (2 Chron. confederacy for the purpose of resillting tho xxviii. 6). He was probably, therefore, re- advanco of the Assyrinn power, and, dis- dured to greet straits at the time when trusting Ahaz, desired to place on the throne Isaiah received directions to seek nn inter- of Judah II person on whom they coultl thoroughly depend (see ver. 6). It was not view wi\h him, and communicnto to him a their design to conquer the Jewish kingdom, cornforUng message from Jehovah. but only to change the sovereign. Toward Ver. 1.-In the days of Ahas. The reign .Jerusalem; rather, to Je1"U11ale111. The allit-s of Ahoz covered,probably,the epace bet weep reac~ed the ci\y lllld collllilenced the sieg.-  128 THE BOOK OF 'l'HE PROPHET ISAIAH. (on, VIL 1-26.