Following the downfall of the surrounding nations, a dramatic reversal of fortune will take place. The desolate lands of defeated enemies will transform into a peaceful haven for the returning exiles of Judah. The coastal plain and the former Philistine cities, which were originally designated as Israelite territory during the days of Joshua, will once again become the rightful inheritance of the surviving remnant of Judah [רש״י, אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ]. The primary approach among commentators is that this prophecy points to the era of the return to Zion and the construction of the Second Temple, when the exiles would journey back from Babylon [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, מלבי״ם, אברבנאל]. While some suggest this promise points to the distant Messianic era, that view is generally set aside in favor of the Second Temple period [אברבנאל].
As the people reclaim these lands, the abandoned enemy cities will serve a new purpose, an idea understood in two distinct ways. A literal approach suggests that the returning Israelites will repurpose the deserted Philistine areas for agriculture. They will graze their flocks in the region during the day, and as evening falls, they will shelter their animals safely inside the empty houses of Ashkelon [רד״ק, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם, שטיינזלץ]. Alternatively, a metaphorical perspective views the people of Judah themselves as the flock. In this light, the imagery illustrates how the returning exiles will settle comfortably in these cities, earning a living, enjoying prosperity, and finally experiencing true peace and quiet [מצודת דוד, רד״ק].
This entire restoration will unfold because God will remember His people favorably, bringing the captives back from exile to their homeland—a stark contrast to the Philistines, who will never recover [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל, שטיינזלץ]. This return represents more than just a physical relocation; it ushers in a profound state of rest, calm, and contentment [מצודת ציון]. Beyond the physical and political redemption, this process carries a deep spiritual mission. By returning from exile and spreading out across these specific territories, the people are tasked with uncovering and elevating the scattered sparks of holiness left behind in those areas. Guided and accompanied by the Divine Presence, this spiritual gathering completes the ultimate process of redemption [חומת אנך].