With the ancients ... - With the old men, the counselors.
Ye have eaten up the vineyard - Hebrew ‘Ye have burnt up’ - that is, you have oonsumed or destroyed it. By the vineyard is represented the Jewish republic or people; Psalms 80:9-13; compare the notes at Isaiah 5:1-7. The princes and rulers had, by their exactions and oppressions, ruined the people, and destroyed the country.
The spoil of the poor - The “plunder” of the poor; or that which you have taken from the poor by exactions and oppressions. The word “spoil” commonly means the plunder or booty which is obtained in war.