Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 10:18

18 And shall consume the glory of his forest , and of his fruitful field , both soul and body : and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth .

Of his great Army, which may not unfitly be compared to a Forest, either for the multitude of their Spears, which, when lifted up together, resemble the Trees of a Wood or Forest; or for the numbers of Men, which stood as thick as Trees do in a Forest.

Of his Soldiers, which stood as thick as Ears of Corn do in a fruitful Field. Heb. of his Carmel. Wherein it is not improbably conjectured by our late most Learned Mr. Gataker, that there is an Allusion to that Brag of the Assyrian, who threatens that he would go up to the sides of (Israels) Lebanon, and to the forest of his Carmel, and there cut down the tall cedars thereof. Which though it was not uttered by the Assyrian till some years after this time, yet was exactly foreknown to God, who understandeth mens thoughts, and much more their Words, afar off, Psal. 139. 2, 3, 4. and therefore might direct the Prophet to use the same Words, and to turn them against himself, Whereas thou threatnest to destroy Israel's Carmel, I will destroy thy Carmel.

i. e. Totally, both inwardly and outwardly, both Strength and Lise. Heb. from the soul even to the flesh. Which may possibly signifie the manner of their Death, which should be by a sudden Stroke of the destroying Angel upon their inward and vital Parts, which was speedily followed by the consumption of their Flesh. See Isa. 37. 35, 36.

The State of that King, and of his great and valiant Army, shall be.

Like that of an Army when their Standard-bearer either is slain, or rather flees away, which strikes a Panick Terrour into the whole Army, and puts them to flight.

Marginal references: Heb. from the soul, and even to the flesh. Job 14. 22.