Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

His meaning is not that the news of this league was brought at that time when the two kings were already near the city, for Ahaz could not safely have issued forth if the army of the enemies had been already in the field: but it is said, that king Ahaz trembled for fear before these kings had assembled their men of war together. Whence it follows, that he was terrified more and more as the danger grew nearer him. The house of David signifies the Palace and Court of the king: as if the Prophet had said, Ahaz and his Counsellors were admonished of the conspiracy made against the country of Judah.

His meaning is not that the newes of this league was brought at that time when the two kings were alreadie neere the citie, for Ahaz could not safely haue issued forth if the armie of the enemies had been alreadie in the field: but it is said, that king Ahaz trembled for feare before these kings had assembled their mē of warre together. Whence it followes, that he was terrified more and more as the danger grew neerer him. The house of Dauid signifies the Palace and Court of the king: as if the Prophet had said, Ahaz and his Counsellors were admonished of the cōspiracie made against ye countrie of Iudah.

As touching the words; the verb Nachah is diversly translated by the expositors; and because it signifies to lead, some draw this sense, that the Syrian brought his soldiers ⟨p. 75⟩to the succour of the army, and therefore they think there should be some change of the letters in the word Al: others derive it of Nuach, and translate, He is at rest. According to other some the letters are misplaced, so as Nachah is put in stead of Chanah, which signifies to pitch the camp, and therefore I have thought good to turn it, Syria is joined, or combined: for the Prophet meant nothing else but that the Israelites and Syrians had made a league of war together, to conjoin their forces for the assailing of Jerusalem. Also in the word Ephraim there is a figure called Synecdoche, must used in the Prophets. The whole kingdom of Israel is comprehended under Ephraim, not only because that Tribe was the richest and more populous then the rest;