ישעיהו, פרק ל״ו, פסוק ט״ו

An intense psychological effort is made to break the morale of the residents of Jerusalem, specifically targeting their trust in King Hezekiah's leadership and their faith in God's protection. The enemy issues a stern warning, hoping to prevent the people from believing the king's promises of salvation. This tactic follows a clear logic: the promise of divine intervention is the core foundation of the people's confidence that their city will not fall to the King of Assyria [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This warning is carefully designed to counter two distinct arguments Hezekiah might use to lift the spirits of the nation [מלבי״ם]. The first argument is that God will deliver them based on the personal merit and worthiness of the people themselves. The second argument offers hope from a different angle, suggesting that God will protect the city simply because of its inherent status as His holy city.

In attempting to tear down these hopes, the speaker keeps his counterarguments brief. Instead of offering new evidence to disprove Hezekiah's claims, he relies entirely on the points he has already established earlier in his address [מלבי״ם].