During a future, fateful conflict known as the war of Gog, enemy armies will lay siege to the gates of Jerusalem. In this critical moment, divine providence will cast a complete shield over the city and its residents. As the people go out to fight and seek revenge against their enemies, God will actively protect them [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם, אברבנאל]. The normal rules of nature and power will completely turn upside down. Human weakness will transform into supreme bravery, and the leadership of the nation will rise to superhuman levels, both spiritually and militarily.
The primary approach among commentators is that this transformation begins with the weakest individuals in society—those who are exhausted and failing to overcome their physical limitations. On that day, even the most fragile person will gain immense strength, becoming a mighty warrior just like King David. Beyond physical weakness, this transformation also applies on a spiritual level. A person who stumbles in sin will be like King David, who was quick to repent and whose sins were immediately removed and forgiven [מלבי״ם]. A more surprising perspective suggests that this stumbling actually hints at a specific figure: the Messiah son of Joseph, who will serve as the army commander leading the first campaign. According to this view, the stumbling is literal, referring to his fall and death in battle. Yet, his death will not be the result of sin or weakness; rather, he will die as a complete, God-fearing hero, just like David [אברבנאל].
The leadership of the nation will also undergo a profound elevation. The royal house, referring to the King Messiah [רד״ק] or metaphorically to all the people of Judah and Jerusalem going out to battle [אברבנאל], will be elevated to the status of angels. While they might initially be seen simply as great princes, they will literally take on angelic qualities in two complementary ways. Militarily, they will lead the people at the front of the battle lines, striking the enemy with miraculous power, much like the angel of God who struck the camp of Sennacherib [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Spiritually, they will reach such a high level of perfection that they will be completely free from the evil inclination, living without sin, exactly like angels. The entire nation will honor them, viewing them as divine messengers sent to guide their path [מלבי״ם]. Ultimately, the intense holiness and purity of these fighters will serve as proof that the tragic death of the Messiah son of Joseph in battle was not caused by the sins of the people [אברבנאל].