Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

He now shows the cause why the Lord would cut off the Kingdom of Syria. The Prophet Amos recites many: Amos 1.3. But that which Isaiah mentions here, was the principal; to wit, that they had drawn the Kingdom of Israel to the bent of their bow, to make war against the Jews. No doubt but the Israelites were enticed by the flatteries of the Syrians, to make a league with them to fight against their brethren. And the better to deceive them, the Syrians alleged that they would aide them against all their adversaries. And therefore the Israelites also rested themselves upon the strength of their confederates: so as they were persuaded, that none were too hard for them. Under the word Ephraim, he means all Israel, as in many other places; for Ephraim was the chief Tribe of the people. Besides, he saith, that the munition and kingdom shall cease from a place, when the strength thereof is broken, and the excellency thereof brought low.

HEe now shewes the cause why the Lord would cut off the Kingdome of Syria. The Prophet Amos recites many: Amos 1.3. But that which Isaiah mentions here, was the principall; to wit, that they had drawne the Kingdome of Israel to the bent of their bow, to make warre against the Iewes. No doubt but the Israelites were inticed by the flatteries of the Syrians, to make a league with them to fight against their brethren. And the better to deceiue them, the Syrians alledged that they would aide them against all their aduersaries. And therefore the Israelites also rested themselues vpon the strength of their confederates: so as they were perswaded, that none were too hard for them. Vnder the word Ephraim, he meanes all Israel, as in many other places; for Ephraim was the chiefe Tribe of the people. Besides, he saith, that the munition and kingdome shall cease from a place, when the strength thereof is broken, and the excellency thereof brought low.