Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 9:2

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." — Isaiah 9:2 (ASV)

Jesus came to Galilee of the Gentiles, and made that country glorious, which had been brought into contempt. That corner of Palestine had very often borne the brunt of invasion, and had felt more than any other region the edge of the keen Assyrian sword.

They were at first troubled when the Assyrian was bought off with a thousand talents of silver, but they were more heavily afflicted when Tiglath-pileser carried them all away to Assyria (see 2 Kings 15). It was a wretched land, with a mixed population, despised by the purer race of Jews; but that very country became glorious with the presence of the incarnate God. Even so, even today his gracious presence is the day-dawn of our joy.