John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 14:28

"In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden." — Isaiah 14:28 (ASV)

In the year that King Ahaz died. Here the fifteenth chapter should have begun, for the Prophet addresses a new subject; and this plainly shows how absurdly the chapters are divided, or rather torn asunder. Having spoken of the Babylonians, he passes to the Philistines; or, perhaps, before speaking of the Babylonians, he addressed the Philistines, who, being the near neighbors of the Jews, cherished deadly hostility against them.

They were the remainder of those nations whom the Israelites spared, though the Lord had commanded that they should be removed from among them (Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 7:16). Their unbelief in this matter was the reason why the Lord left these nations to be thorns, that they might prick their eyes, as the Scripture shows the Lord had formerly threatened against them (Numbers 33:55).

In consequence of the deadly animosities that existed between these two nations, whenever the Jews sustained any defeat, the Philistines reckoned it as so much gain to themselves. They wished for the ruin of the Jews, and no occurrence could give them greater delight than when the Jews were reduced to the deepest adversity and distress. The Prophet therefore prophesies against them as the constant enemies of the Church.

It is important to note the time when this vision was revealed to the Prophet. So long as Ahaz lived, the Philistines were victorious. That wicked hypocrite, who had forsaken God and eagerly sought external human assistance, was punished for his treachery. During his reign, the Philistines (2 Chronicles 28:18) recovered those towns that Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:6, 7) had taken from their hands.

But after Ahaz's death, they became even more courageous, for they expected then to gain all that they desired, because his heir was still a child; for Hezekiah, the new king, had neither shrewdness, nor authority, nor wisdom. These circumstances, therefore, should be carefully observed.

For Isaiah's focus in this prophecy, though he addresses the Philistines, is not so much on them as on the godly, whom he wishes to comfort and strengthen with good hope. They would otherwise have thought that Judea's condition was entirely ruined, because they were attacked by enemies on all sides, and no assistance of any kind could be seen. To those people, therefore, in their distressed and forlorn condition, Isaiah stretches out his hand and bids them be of good courage, because the Lord would undoubtedly assist them.

This burden. He calls this prophecy a burden because it would be disagreeable and painful to the Philistines, who thought they were rid of every annoyance, as the Jews were hard-pressed and had no hope of improving their condition. Therefore, he threatens that the destruction of the Philistines is also at hand.