For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children [shall find] compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God [is] gracious and merciful, and will not turn away [his] face from you, if ye return unto him.
Ver. 9. Your brethren … shall find compassion, &c.] A forcible reason; if but for your poor brethren and children's sake, who shall find favour with their enemies for your piety and prayers, turn to the Lord. This because they did not, themselves also were shortly after carried captive by Shalmaneser, and never returned.