Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 24:12

"In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction." — Isaiah 24:12 (ASV)

And the gate is smitten with destruction - The word translated ‘destruction’ may denote ‘a crash’ (Gesenius). The idea is that the gates of the city, once so secure, are now battered down and demolished, so that the enemy can enter freely.

So far, this is a description of the calamities that would come upon the nation. The following verses show that, though the desolation would be general, a few of the inhabitants would be left—a circumstance included to mitigate the prospect of the impending ruin.