18:1ff This prophecy was probably given in the days of Hezekiah (2 Kings 19–20). The king of Ethiopia had heard that Assyria’s great army was marching south toward them. He sent messengers up the Nile asking the surrounding nations to form an alliance. Judah was also asked to join, but Isaiah told the messengers to return home because Judah needed only God’s help to repel the Assyrians. Isaiah prophesied that Assyria would be destroyed at the proper time (37:21-38).