9. — because the Lord — was wroth with Judah,] He thus warns the Israelites not to be too much elated with the victory, which was not to be ascribed to their valour and means of strength, but to the anger of God against the people of Judah, which induced Him to abandon them to the fury of their enemies. — a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.] Meaning, a rage that hath no measure, and that crieth to heaven for vengeance. Bp. Patrick. Judah is captivated. CHAP. XXVIII. Ahaz sendeth for aid from Assyria. Before CHRIST about 741. and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven. 10. — but are there not with you — sins] He desires them to consider, that they, who thought themselves God's favourites because He had made them victorious, had sins enough to answer for; for which, if He punished them as they deserved, they might be soon reduced to the same condition with their brethren of Judah. Bp. Patrick. 11. — the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you.] It hence appears, that, though God uses one nation as the instrument of another's punishment, yet He does not approve of the inhumanities committed by an enemy. Bp. Wilson. 14. So the armed men &c.] Here was a wonderful instance of obedience, in restoring not only the captives which were valuable, but all the spoil also which was no doubt considerable; and a remarkable proof of the great power of the Prophet, that he turned the barbarous cruelty of the Israelites to the tenderest humanity. How lamentable it is, that they were not to be so easily converted from idolatry, to which their inclination was so strong, that nothing could persuade them to forsake it. Bp. Patrick. Thus compassionate was God towards the people of Judah, who so little deserved mercy at His hands. Pyle. 19. — because of Ahaz king of Israel.] King of Judah, which was a part of Israel. See note at chap. xxi. 2. We read six times "the king of Israel" thus put for "the king of Judah."—"For he made Judah naked," that is, deprived it of the divine protection by his foul transgressions. Bp. Patrick. 20. — distressed him, but strengthened him not.] At 22. — this is that king Ahaz.] The expression here in the Hebrew is an expression of great contempt, with which Ahaz well deserved to be branded, as the most notorious offender that had ever been among the kings of Judah. Bp. Patrick. In the disastrous condition in which he was, he was guilty of a piece of stupidity, not Ahaz groweth more idolatrous. Hezekiah restoreth religion. of † Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.