What is the meaning of "Amarta Ach Devar Sefasayim Etzah u'Gevurah la'Milchamah"?
Rashi: Until now, you said that you will not serve Melech Ashur. This is lip talk (empty words). As long as he did not come against you, you did not need strategy or might. Now that he came, you need strategy and might. On whom do you rely?!
Radak citing his father: You thought to be saved through Tefilah. This is wrong. You need strategy and might for war!
Radak citing Ibn Ezra: You told your men that you have strategy and might. These are empty words. Your only might is words!
Radak citing Targum Yonasan: You speak with words. Might makes war!
Malbim (Yeshayah 36:5): You sent a tax and bribe to Melech Ashur and asked him to go away. You said, this is not a Bris. I am not sincere; I merely seek time to prepare for war, to bring water into the city and make weapons and shields. I need not [continue to] pay the tax.
Here it says "Amarta". In Yeshayah 36:5, it says "Amarti"!
Malbim (Yeshayah 36:5): There, he said 'I see what you think in your heart.'
Why did he say "Atah Al Mi Batachta"?
Malbim (Yeshayah 36:5): Before you sent tax to me and submitted to me, even had I fought you and conquered you, I would not have exiled you. I would merely impose taxes on you, like those vanquished in war. Now that you sent tax to me and accepted my kingship, if you fight against me you are a rebel, for you annulled the Bris and curse. If I conquer you, I will punish you like a slave who rebelled against his master. On whom did you rely to put yourself in such danger?!
What was the rebellion?
Radak: He did not pay the tax.
