John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 10:9

"Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?" — Isaiah 10:9 (ASV)

Is not Calno as Carchemish? Here he mentions by name certain cities, though others think that they were countries; but it is more probable that they were cities, or some fortified places. “Shall it not happen,” he says, “to those places which I have not yet subdued as it has happened to others that opposed me?” He therefore compares Calno, Arpad, and Samaria, which he afterwards subdued, to Carchemish, Hamath, and Damascus, which he had formerly subdued, and says that those will not be stronger than these. Thus wicked men are accustomed to boast and talk proudly of their former actions, so as to imagine that they will break through every obstruction, and that nothing can stand in the way of their plans and exertions, and even think that they will accomplish everything without the will or knowledge of God.

When we read this history, let us learn that we should not be proud of having been strong, or of having succeeded as we wished; for he who has exalted us will be able to cast us down. And if he reproves the Assyrian for that haughtiness, how much more should they be reproved who ascribe to themselves the praise of righteousness and holiness, as if they could be regenerated by their own power; for it cannot be doubted that they rob God of his honor, and claim for themselves what belongs to him!