You will seek them, and won’t find them, even those who contend with you. Those who war against you will be as nothing, as a non-existent thing.
12. Thou shalt seek them. That is, if thou seek them; for enemies are not sought, when they have been put to flight; and therefore I think that this future ought to be rendered as a subjunctive, “If thou seek them, thou shalt not find them; for they shall be destroyed and reduced to nothing.” Here it ought to be observed that he describes two...
Isaiah lifts Israel's eyes to see the saving act of Jehovah breaking into their immediate future. Those who rage against you become nothing and perish; you will seek them and find them no more. But I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand and say: Fear not; I will help you.
AI summary
Commenting on Isaiah 41:11-13
They not existing, or being fled into holes and corners, to rocks and mountains, to hide themselves from the wrath of the Lamb, Rev 6:15, even them that contended with thee; or, "the men of thy contention" (p); who contended with them, not by words and arguments, but by severe persecutions, striving thereby to hinder the progress of the Gospel, and to root Christianity out...