\\INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 14\\

This chapter contains prophecies of the restoration of the Jews, of the
fall of the king of Babylon, and the destruction of the Assyrian
empire, and of the ruin of Palestine. The moving cause of the
restoration of the Jews, and their settlement in their own land, is the
distinguishing mercy of God towards them; the accomplishment of it,
proselytes joined unto them; the means, people of other nations, who
should bring them into it, and whom they should possess and rule over;
and the consequence of it, rest from sorrow, fear, and hard bondage,
\\#Isa 14:1-3\\ upon which they are introduced as taking up a proverb,
or a triumphant song, concerning the king of Babylon, wondering at his
fall, and ascribing it to the Lord, \\#Isa 14:4,5\\ representing the
inhabitants of the earth, and great men of it, as at peace, and rest,
and rejoicing, who before were continually disturbed, and smitten by
him, \\#Isa 14:6-8\\ introducing the dead, and those in hell, meeting
him, and welcoming him into their regions, with taunts and jeers;
upbraiding him with his weakness, shame, and disgrace he was come into;
putting him in mind of his former pomp and splendour, pride, arrogance,
and haughtiness, \\#Isa 14:9-15\\ spectators are brought in, as amazed
at the low, mean, and despicable condition he was brought into,
considering what he had done in the world, in kingdoms and cities, but
was now denied a burial, when other kings lay in their pompous
sepulchres, \\#Isa 14:16-20\\ and then it is foretold that that whole
royal family should be cut off, and Babylon, the metropolis of his
kingdom, should be utterly destroyed, \\#Isa 14:21-23\\ all which was
settled and fixed by the purpose of God, which could not be made void,
\\#Isa 14:24-27\\ and next follows a prophecy of the destruction of
Palestine; the date of the prophecy is given \\#Isa 14:28\\ the
inhabitants of Palestine are bid not to rejoice at the death of one of
the kings of Judah, since another should arise, who would be fatal to
them, \\#Isa 14:29\\ and while the Jews would be in safety, they would
be destroyed by famine and war, \\#Isa 14:30,31\\ from all which it
would appear, and it might be told the messengers of the nations, or
any inquiring persons, that Zion is of the Lord's founding, and under
his care and protection, and that his people have great reason and
encouragement to trust in him, \\#Isa 14:32\\.