All but verses 19 and 24 have insignificant words added by the King James translators, most of which are italicized.
The prophet Isaiah then uttered a fourth prophecy. King Ahaz wanted to ask the king of Assyria to come and help him, as mentioned earlier. Isaiah prophesied that the Lord was going to bring the king of Assyria upon Ahaz and all of Ephraim (northern Israel). This proved to be the worst devastation they had experienced since the twelve tribes had divided into the two nations of Ephraim and Judah (approximately 975 B.C.) (v. 17). The prophecy stated that the land that had been cultivated for agricultural purposes would be left uncultivated following the Assyrian conquest. The fly and the bee which would come upon Ephraim as a swarm (v. 18) are usually interpreted to be the armies of Egypt and Assyria. However, the invasion by Egypt is historically questionable. The prophecy therefore seems to refer to literal swarms of flies and bees inhabiting the land. The fly was and still is notorious in Egypt. The honeybee was apparently notorious in Assyria. After the land remained uncultivated the Lord would bring the insects from the lands of Egypt and Assyria. These insects would find a permanent home in the desolate valleys of Israel (v. 19). The Lord’s “shaving with a razor that is hired” (v. 20) symbolized the comfort of having someone else perform a tedious or unpleasant task, such as shaving every morning. The Lord used the s28 king of Assyria to do the unpleasant task of punishing Ephraim’s wickedness. This punishment was be very thorough, as the whole body (land of northern Israel) was shaved. Following the devastating “shaving” of the agricultural land, it was used to graze a few animals (v. 21). The cow will produce milk, which will be used for making butter, and the honey gathered from bees will supplement the diet (v. 22). The main diet for the few nomadic people who remain upon the land will be milk or butter, and honey. Thus the land will become a land of milk and honey. The vineyards will be left uncared for and will quickly turn into briers and thorns. The silver glaze from the sun reflecting on the grape vines will no longer be seen (v. 23). Much of the land will be uninhabited and only the hunters shall go thither (there) seeking wild animals for food (v. 24). Small areas will be digged with the mattock (the hoe) for a few vegetables, but the formerly cultivated land will become primarily a grazing land for a few cattle (v. 25). When Assyria came and conquered northern Israel, she also came upon the regions round about, and thus Judah was also affected by this prophecy. Later prophecies of Isaiah foretell Judah also be conquered during Assyrias conquest of Israel (Isaiah 8:8).
The historical setting for chapter 18 is the same as in chapter 17. Chapter 17 was given to Ahaz and those few who were with him, and chapter 18 appears to say the same thing to a broader audience—all of Judah. It also concerns the fate of the kings of Syria and Israel and the coming onslaught of the king of Assyria upon them and Judah. Thus the Lord has given two witnesses. Chapter 19 continues from the Assyrian conquest prophesied in chapter 18 to the time of Christ’s personal ministry.