(Isa. 9:8–10:4)
Isaiah 9:8–10:4 is divided into four subsections. The first subsection deals with pride (9:8–12), and the fourth refers to social injustice (10:1–4). The four subsections are part of a single prophecy but are divided structurally with an identical poetic refrain at the end of each section: “For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still” (9:12, 17, 21; 10:4; see also 5:25).
This prophecy has a dual fulfillment: first, when the ancient kingdom of Israel was destroyed, and second, when the world will be destroyed at the time of the second coming of Christ.
(Donald W. Parry, Jay A. Parry, and Tina M. Peterson, Understanding Isaiah [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1998], 97.)
Isaiah now turns his attention to the rebellious northern kingdom of Israel, whose ruling tribe is represented by Ephraim and whose capital is Samaria. The historical setting is the same as in verses 1–7: the northern tribes have already been placed under direct Assyrian control, and many leading citizens have been taken captive to Assyria. The campaign of Tiglath-Pileser III in 732 b.c. brought about the deportation of the major portions of the northernmost Israelite tribes, Zebulun and Naphtali. Still, the invasion and deportation did not bring the stubborn Israelites to the realization that the prophecies uttered against them would all surely come to pass unless they repented. They had had a taste of the Lord’s judgment, but learned nothing from it, since Isaiah still levels four major accusations against them: pride [19:8–12], evil leaders [19:13–17], selfishness [19:18–21], and injustice [20:1–4].
(Victor L. Ludlow, Isaiah: Prophet, Seer, and Poet [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982], 156.)