Isaiah 7:1

In the day of Ahaz. See table, Vol. II, p. 77. This message was apparently delivered about the year 734 B.C., near the beginning of Ahaz’ reign (see on v. 16). For the historical background of events here mentioned, see Vol. II, p. 86.

Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah. Assyrian sources indicate that Uzziah had taken a strong stand against Assyria, and probably also his son Jotham, but that Ahaz was friendly. The latter sent gold and silver he took from the Temple and from his own palace to Tiglath-pileser in order to purchase Assyrian aid (see on 2 Kings 16:5-10). We know from 2 Kings 15:29 that Pekah of Israel was anti-Assyrian, because Tiglath-pileser came against him; and from Assyrian sources we likewise know that this was also true of Rezin of Syria. Probably most of the nations of Western Asia were at this time united in an alliance against Assyria, and the attack of Pekah and Rezin on Ahaz was intended to depose him and set up a new king, and perhaps to force Judah into the coalition against Assyria.

Could not prevail. According to 2 Chron. 28:5-15 Judah had suffered a disastrous defeat at the hands of Pekah and Rezin, and Elath, on the Gulf of Aqabah, had fallen into the hands of Syria (2 Kings 16:6). But, although besieged, the city of Jerusalem itself was not taken (2 Kings 16:5).