Isaiah 28
CHAPTER 28
The twenty-eighth through thirty-third chapters form almost one continuous prophecy concerning the destruction of Ephraim, the impiety and folly of Judah, the danger of their league with Egypt, the straits they would be reduced to by Assyria, from which Jehovah would deliver them on their turning to Him; the twenty-eighth chapter refers to the time just before the sixth year of Hezekiak's reign, the rest not very long before his fourteenth year.
1. crown of pride--Hebrew for "proud crown of the drunkards," &c. [HORSLEY], namely, Samaria, the capital of Ephraim, or Israel. "Drunkards," literally ( Isaiah 28:7 Isaiah 28:8 , Isaiah 5:11 Isaiah 5:22 , Amos 4:1 , 6:1-6 ) and metaphorically, like drunkards, rushing on to their own destruction.
beauty . . . flower--"whose glorious beauty or ornament is a fading flower." Carrying on the image of "drunkards"; it was the custom at feasts to wreathe the brow with flowers; so Samaria, "which is (not as English Version, 'which are') upon the head of the fertile valley," that is, situated on a hill surrounded with the rich valleys as a garland ( 1 Kings 16:24 ); but the garland is "fading," as garlands often do, because Ephraim is now close to ruin (compare Isaiah 16:8 ); fulfilled 721 B.C. ( 2 Kings 17:6 2 Kings 17:24 ).
2. strong one--the Assyrian ( Isaiah 10:5 ).
cast down--namely, Ephraim ( Isaiah 28:1 ) and Samaria, its crown.
with . . . hand--with violence ( Isaiah 8:11 ).
3. crown . . . the drunkards--rather, "the crown of the drunkards."
4. Rather, "the fading flower, their glorious beauty ( Isaiah 28:1 ), which is on the head of the fat (fertile) valley, shall be as the early fig" [G. V. SMITH]. Figs usually ripened in August; but earlier ones (Hebrew bikkurah, Spanish bokkore) in June, and were regarded as a delicacy ( Jeremiah 24:2 , Hosea 9:10 , Micah 7:1 ).
while it is yet--that is, immediately, without delay; describing the eagerness of the Assyrian Shalmaneser, not merely to conquer, but to destroy utterly Samaria; whereas other conquered cities were often spared.
5-13. The prophet now turns to Judah; a gracious promise to the remnant ("residue"); a warning lest through like sins Judah should share the fate of Samaria.
crown--in antithesis to the "fading crown" of Ephraim ( Isaiah 28:1 Isaiah 28:3 ).
the residue--primarily, Judah, in the prosperous reign of Hezekiah ( 2 Kings 18:7 ), antitypically, the elect of God; as He here is called their "crown and diadem," so are they called His ( Isaiah 62:3 ); a beautiful reciprocity.
6. Jehovah will inspire their magistrates with justice, and their soldiers with strength of spirit.
turn . . . battle to . . . gate--the defenders of their country who not only repel the foe from themselves, but drive him to the gates of his own cities ( 2 Samuel 11:23 , 2 Kings 18:8 ).