Isaiah 16:14

The years of an hireling] i.e. definitely reckoned, with no grace allowed. Feeble] RV 'of no account.'

Moab's Calamity and the Way of Escape

This section consists of two parts: (a) Isaiah 15:1;—Isaiah 16:12, a prophecy announcing that a great disaster is about to fall upon Moab, and (b) Isaiah 16:13, a short appendix in which Isaiah affirms the speedy fulfilment of the foregoing prophecy. The first part is not necessarily by Isaiah, and may have been uttered earlier than his time; much of it is also quoted by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 48:1). Cp. Isaiah 2:2, where there is reason to suppose that an earlier prophecy has been used by both Isaiah and Micah. The Moabites inhabited the elevated land E. of the Dead Sea, and though a people. related by blood to Israel, the mutual relations of the two nations were hostile from the time of Saul onwards. Saul fought against them (1 Samuel 14:47), and David overcame them (2 Samuel 8:2). Ahab oppressed them and exacted tribute (2 Kings 3:4, confirmed by king Mesha of Moab in the inscription known as the Moabite Stone); but after his death the Moabites threw off the Israelite yoke (2 Kings 1:1; 2 Kings 3:5, Moabite Stone), and Jehoram's efforts to maintain his authority over them were ineffectual (2 Kings 3:6). The exact date of the prophecy is uncertain, but the enemy who will inflict the coming calamity upon Moab is the Assyrian king, either Sargon or Sennacherib, referred to, perhaps, in Isaiah 15:9 under the figure of a lion.

Isaiah 15:1. Calamity is imminent for Moab; the terror and flight of her people.

Isaiah 16:1. A condition of safety indicated. Let Moab acknowledge the suzerainty of Judah (Isaiah 15:1); Zion will shelter her fugitives (4), for to Zion the promise of the Messianic king has been given (5).

6-12. Moab's proud spirit prevents her from accepting the condition. Desolation therefore awaits her land.

13, 14. The above prophecy had been delivered at an earlier period. Isaiah affirms that it shall speedily be fulfilled.