Isaiah 10:13

“For he saith, by the strength of my hand I have done [it], &c.] Meaning either that by the power of his army, which was under his command, or by his own personal valour, he had subdued kings, taken their kingdoms and chief cities, and ascribes nothing to the power aud providence of God; and if such arrogance and haughtiness, in things of a civil nature, is an instance of vanity, and is resented by the Lord, then much more such conduct in things of a religious nature, when men ascribe regeneration, conversion, and salvation, to the power of their free will, and to the works of their hands, and not to the power and grace of God: and by my wisdom, for I am prudent; attributing his conquests…”

“I am prudent--He ascribes his success to his own prudence, not to God's providence. removed the bounds--set aside old, and substituted new boundaries of kingdoms at will. A criminal act, as Jehovah Himself had appointed the boundaries of the nations (Deu 32:8). treasures--"hoarded treasures" [HORSLEY]. put down . . . inhabitants like, &c.--rather, "as a valiant man, I have brought down (from their seats) those seated" (namely, "on thrones"; as in Psa 2:4; Psa 29:10; Psa 55:19. The Hebrew for "He that abideth," is He that sitteth on a throne); otherwise, "I have brought down (as captives into Assyria, which lay lower than Judea; therefore 'brought down,' compare Isa 36:1, Isa 36:10), the…”

“For he saith - The king of Assyria saith. This verse and the following are designed to show the reason why the king of Assyria should be thus punished. It was on account of his pride, and wicked plans. He sought not the glory of God, but purposed to do evil. For I am prudent - I am wise; attributing his success to his own understanding, rather than to God. I have removed the bounds of the people - That is, ‘I have changed the limits of kingdoms; I have taken away the old boundaries, and made new ones at my pleasure. I have divided them into kingdoms and provinces as I pleased.’ No higher assumption of power could have been made than thus to have changed the ancient limits of empires, and…”

“Removed - I have invaded their lands, and added them to my own dominions, Pro 22:28. Put down - Deprived of their former glory and power. Isaiah 10:14”

“10:13 my own powerful arm . . . my own shrewd wisdom (cp. 10:5): God alone is all-powerful and wise. He plans the future, and he determines which nations will rise to power and which will be defeated.”

“For he saith: Isa 10:8, Isa 37:23, Isa 37:24; Deu 8:17; Eze 25:3, Eze 26:2, Eze 28:2-9, Eze 29:3; Dan 4:30; Amo 6:13; Hab 1:16 I have removed: Kg2 15:29, Kg2 17:6, Kg2 17:24, Kg2 18:11, Kg2 18:32; Ch1 5:26; Amo 5:27, Amo 6:1, Amo 6:2 robbed: Kg2 16:8, Kg2 18:15; Hos 13:15, Hos 13:16 a valiant man: or, many people Isaiah 10:14”

“When Jehovah had punished to such an extent that He could not go any further without destroying Israel - a result which would be opposed to His mercy and truth - His punishing would turn against the instrument of punishment, which would fall under the curse of all ungodly selfishness. "For he hath said, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my own wisdom; for I am prudent: and I removed the bounds of the nations, and I plundered their stores, and threw down rulers (Note: Thronende, lit., those who sat (on thrones).) like a bull. And my hand extracted the wealth of the nations like a nest: and as men sweep up forsaken eggs, have I swept the whole earth; there was none that moved…”