Explanation: Isaiah 15 begins the burden of Moab, which continues into chapter 16 and parallels Jeremiah 48. The grief which was coming upon Moab was so great that even Isaiah mourned saying, "My heart shall cry out for Moab" (v. 5). Because of the destruction which is coming upon it, Moab will weep, howl, become bald, don sackcloth, cry out, and grieve. Cities throught the land will be ruined, including its chief cities, Ar and Kir [probably Kirhares, also spelled Kir-harseth, etc], with refugees fleeing in great distress. These desolations may have come from some of the neighboring Arabic tribes or, more probably, considering their extent and intensity, from one of the Assyrian kings who invaded the region, such as Tiglath-Pilesar III in 732 B.C., or Shalmaneser V c. 722 B.C., or Sargon II in 718 B.C., or Sennacherib in 701 B.C. In the opinion of Adam Clarke, "The most probable account is, that it [this Burden of Moab] was delivered soon after the foregoing ["The Burden of Philistia" (14:28-32) in the year that King Ahaz of Judah died], in the first year of Hezekiah [son of Ahaz]; and that it was accomplished in his fourth year, when Shalmaneser [Shalmaneser V of Assyria - 727 to 722 B.C.] invaded the kingdom of Israel. He might probably march through Moab; and to secure every thing behind him, possess himself of the whole country, by taking their principal strong places Ar and Kirhares."

     ¹ The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; ² He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off. ³ In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly. ⁴ And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him. ⁵ My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction. ⁶ For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing. ⁷ Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows. ⁸ For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim. ⁹ For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, lions upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land.

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