And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
9. Meanwhile And the head of Ephraim. — Eng. Ver. the head of Ephraim is Samaria. As it is a repetition by which he confirms what he formerly said, that God had set bounds to the kingdom of Israel for an appointed time, I have rendered the copulative ו, (vau,) meanwhile.
Sin brings foreign invasion upon a land and betrays the strongest fortifications to the enemy. Ahaz began his reign in idolatry, so God delivered him into the hands of Syria and Israel; wicked nations become the scourge of other wicked nations.
AI summary
Commenting on Isaiah 7:1-9
And the head of Ephraim is Samaria,..... Samaria was the metropolis or chief city of Ephraim, or the ten tribes of Israel: and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son; Pekah, son of Remaliah, was king of Samaria, as of all Israel.