But the people did not return to Him who struck them; they did not seek the LORD of Hosts.
Second strophe. turneth not--the design of God's chastisements; not fulfilled in their case; a new cause for punishment (Jer 2:20; Jer 5:3).
The Lord sends warning before He wounds; He spoke through His prophets, but Israel refused to hear. Those willingly ignorant of God's wrath revealed against sin shall be made to know it by feeling it. The people's insolence defies justice itself: they say, let God do His worst, we will hold our ground, rebuild stronger than before. They will not repent at the word, so they shall learn through the blow.
AI summary
Commenting on Isaiah 9:8-21
Isa 9:13-17 Strophe 2. “But the people turneth not unto Him that smiteth it, and they seek not Jehovah of hosts. Therefore Jehovah rooteth out of Israel head and tail, palm-branch and rush, in one day. Elders and highly distinguished men, this is the head; and prophets, lying teachers, this is the tail. The leaders of this people have become leaders astray, and their followers swallowed up.
Commenting on Isaiah 9:13-17