Isaiah 22:3

“All thy rulers are fled together, &c.] Either the rulers of Jerusalem, civil and ecclesiastical, that should have been at the head of the people, and have encouraged them, fled together to the housetops, or to the temple and strongholds; or the generals and officers of their militia, one and all of them fled, as if they had done it by joint consultation and consent; or the rulers of the several cities of Judea, which, when invaded by Sennacherib, stayed not to defend them, but left them and fled: they are bound by the archers; or, “from the bow”f426; from using it; were in such a consternation, and under such a panic, that they had no strength nor heart to draw the bow, but were as if they…”

“rulers--rather, "generals" (Jos 10:24; Jdg 11:6, Jdg 11:11). bound--rather, "are taken." by the archers--literally, "by the bow"; so Isa 21:17. Bowmen were the light troops, whose province it was to skirmish in front and (Kg2 6:22) pursue fugitives (Kg2 25:5); this verse applies better to the attack of Nebuchadnezzar than that of Sennacherib. all . . . in thee--all found in the city (Isa 13:15), not merely the "rulers" or generals. fled from far--those who had fled from distant parts to Jerusalem as a place of safety; rather, fled afar.”

“All thy rulers are fled together - The general idea in this verse is plain. It is designed to describe the consternation which would take place on the approach of the invader, and especially the timidity and flight of those on whom the city relied for protection and defense. Hence, instead of entering calmly and firmly on the work of defense, no inconsiderable part of the rulers of the city are represented as fleeing from the city, and refusing to remain to protect the capital. The word rendered ‘thy rulers’ (קציניך qitsiynayik) denotes either the civil rulers of the city, or military leaders. It is most usually applied to the latter Joshua 10:24; Judges 11:6, Judges 11:11; Daniel 11:18, and…”

“Rulers - Zedekiah and his chief commanders, whose flight he foretells. Found - That remain there with Zedekiah in the siege; for those who had fled to the Chaldeans saved their lives and liberties. Bound - In fetters, Jer 52:11. Fled - Who fled from Jerusalem, but were pursued and overtaken by their enemies, and bound, as others had been. Isaiah 22:4”

“22:3 Leaders might try to flee, but they would not escape (see 2 Kgs 25:4-6).”

“thy rulers: Isa 3:1-8; Kg2 25:4-7, Kg2 25:18-21; Jer 39:4-7, Jer 52:24-27 by the archers: Heb. of the bow Isaiah 22:4”