And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant.
The first-born of the poor - Hebraism, for the most abject poor; the first-born being the foremost of the family. So "first-born of death" (Job 18:13) for the most fatal death. The Jews, heretofore exposed to Philistine invasions and alarms, shall be in safety. Compare Psalms 72:4, "children of the needy," expressing those 'needy in condition.'
Shall feed - image from a flock feeding in safety.
I will kill thy root - radical destruction.
And he shall slay thy remnant - Yahweh shall. The change of person, He after I, is a common Hebraism.