The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
Isaiah 17:1-11.-PROPHECY CONCERNING DAMASCUS AND ITS ALLY, SAMARIA, i:e., Syria and Israel, which had leagued together, (Isaiah 7:1-25; Isaiah 8:1-22.) Already Tiglath-pileser had carried away the people of Damascus to Kir, in the fourth year of Ahaz (2 Kings 16:9); but now, in Hezekiah's reign, a further overthrow is foretold (Jeremiah 49:23; Zechariah 9:1). Also, Shalmaneser carried away Israel from Samaria to Assyria (2 Kings 17:6; 2 Kings 18:10-11), in the sixth year of Hezekiah of Judah (the ninth year of Hoshea of Israel). This prophecy was, doubtless, given previously in the first years of Hezekiah, when the foreign nations came into nearer collision with Judah, owing to the threatening aspect of Assyria. Damascus - put before Israel (Ephraim, Isaiah 17:3), which is chiefly referred to in what follows, because it was the prevailing power in the league-with it Ephraim either stood or fell, (Isaiah 7:1-25.)