Isaiah 14

18–23 Isaiah concludes his prophecy against Babylon by saying that its king will have no tomb, no burial; instead, his corpse will be trampled underfoot (verse 19). A man’s memorial is not only his tombstone but also his children; the king of Babylon will have neither (verse 21).

A Prophecy Against Assyria (14:24–27)

24–27 Here Isaiah confirms God’s judgment on Assyria, which he has stated earlier (see Isaiah 10:5–19). No one—not even the mightiest king—can thwart the sovereign Lord or turn . . . back His outstretched hand (verse 27).

A Prophecy Against the Philistines (14:28–32)

28–32 The Philistines⁸¹ were ancient enemies of the Israelites; they lived along the Mediterranean coast west of Israel. Here Isaiah prophesies that they will revolt against Assyria—the rod that struck them (verse 29)—but that quickly new Assyrian rulers will spring up who will be worse than the former ones. Therefore, let the Philistines not rejoice over short-lived victories.

Indeed, the Philistines are doomed. The poor and the needy (the Israelites) will be secure, but the Philistines will be destroyed by the Assyrians (verse 30). The Assyrian army will appear as a cloud of smoke coming from the north. The Philistines will send envoys to Jerusalem, in hopes of making an alliance with Israel against their common enemy; but the Israelites will answer that the Lord has established Zion (Jerusalem, His earthly kingdom) and that Israel trusts in Him and not in human alliances⁸² (verse 32).