Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 17:2

2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid .

Of that part of Syria called Aroer, from a great City of that name; of which see Deut. 2. 36. & 3. 12. These Cities were possessed by the Reubenites and Gadites, whom Tiglath-Pileser carried into Captivity, 1 Chron. 5. 26. These he mentions here, as he doth Ephraim in the next Verse, because they were Confederate with Syria against Iudah.

Because the Land shall be desolate, and destitute of Men who might disturb them.