The arrogance of the King of Assyria ultimately meets a forceful response from God, ensuring that his pride is replaced with absolute divine control and deep humiliation. God directly addresses the intense rage the king has directed toward Him, noting that this anger has risen and finally reached Him [מצודת דוד]. This fury is paired with the king's overwhelming presence, though commentators view his attitude from different angles. The primary approach among commentators is that his behavior was characterized by the massive noise, uproar, and loud commotion he generated during his campaigns [רש״י, מצודת ציון, רד״ק]. Alternatively, it represents his extreme complacency and overblown self-confidence. He operated with a false sense of peace, fully believing that no disaster could ever threaten his power [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
As a direct consequence of this behavior, God declares that He will take total control over the king. Much like a person mastering a wild beast or reeling in a captured fish, God will force the king to go exactly where He chooses, entirely against the king's own will [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This forced submission is vividly compared to the tools used in taming animals and fishing. God will lead him as if using an iron ring placed in the mouth of a wild, stubborn beast to drag it along [רש״י, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This is also likened to an iron hook that fishermen pierce into a fish's nose or jaw to cleverly pull it from the water [רד״ק]. Alongside this hook is a bridle or metal peg inserted into the nose or lips of a beast of burden, such as a camel or donkey, designed specifically to restrict, direct, and lead it [רש״י, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].
The final outcome for the King of Assyria is a crushing and humiliating retreat. God promises to drag him back to his own land completely against his will [מצודת דוד]. Historically, the king had sent messengers to Jerusalem while he continued onward to fight the King of Cush. God ensures that following that battle, the king will indeed return toward Jerusalem. However, instead of achieving a victorious conquest, he will be forced to flee back to his home country in sheer disgrace. He will retreat along the exact same path he originally took, directly following God's total destruction of his entire military camp [רלב״ג, רד״ק].