Isaiah 2:7 - Exposition

Full of silver and gold . The results of the commercial activity—not evil things in themselves, but probably acquired by sharp dealing, and leading to undue softness and luxury. The Law had given a warning against "greatly multiplying silver and gold" ( Deuteronomy 17:17 ). For the fact of the vast abundance of the precious metals in Judaea at this time, see 2 Kings 14:16 ; 2 Kings 20:13 ; 2 Chronicles 32:27 ; and compare Sennacherib's inscription on the Taylor Cylinder. Full of horses … chariots (comp. Micah 5:10 ). There is no reason to believe that the Jews or Israelites ever possessed (unless it were under Solomon) any considerable cavalry or chariot force. But from the time of David horses and chariots were imported for convenience and for show by the kings, the princes, and the nobles (see 2 Samuel 15:1 ; 1 Kings 4:26 ; 1 Kings 10:28 , 1 Kings 10:29 ; 1 Kings 22:31 ; Ecclesiastes 10:7 ). Like the silver and the gold, they were signs of luxury and ostentation.