Why does it say "Ki Anushah Makoseha"?
Rashi, Targum Yonasan: She is ill amidst her blows [that she was stricken]. This is like "va'Ye'anesh" (Shmuel II, 12:15).
Radak: Each of her afflictions is Anushah ? the sword, hunger and plague. Anushah is a very strong pain and breakage, like "Anush l'Shivrech" (Yirmeyah 30:12).
Malbim #1: Her afflictions are a dangerous contagious disease.
Malbim #2: The blows that Shomron struck Yehudah [are mortal]. This was in the days of Achaz. Pekach ben Remalyahu killed 120,000 in Yehudah in one day. At the time, also Pelishtim spread in cities of the plain and the south in Yehudah, and conquered many cities and dwelled in them (Divrei ha'Yamim II, Perek 28). It cannot be in the days of Uziyah and Yosam ? then there was Shalom in Yehudah. If it was when Sancheriv came against Chizkiyah, it would have mentioned the salvation!
What do we learn from "Ki Va'ah Ad Yehudah"?
Radak: The blow began in Shomron, and came to Yehudah. Malbim ? also Yehudah were stricken, even though they did not serve idolatry in the days of Yosam and Uziyah, and "v'Hayah v'Esnanah 1 Kodesh la'Shem" (Yeshayah 23:18).
Malbim (23:18): Sachrah is merchandise from [Tzor] itself; Esnenah is coins that they receive for their merchandise: They will send a gift to Beis Hashem. (Malbim applies that verse to teach that Yehudah served only Hashem. - PF)
What do we learn from "Naga Ad Sha'ar Ami"?
Radak: This is until the gate of Yerushalayim. Melech Ashur conquered the land of the 10 tribes, and came against all cities of Yehudah and seized them. He came against Sha'arei Yerushalayim. It is called "Sha'ar Ami" for it is special in Eretz Yisrael for the honor of Hashem, who dwells in it.
Malbim: Efrayim, Aram, Edom and Pelishtim came [and conquered] in Yehudah. They came up to Yerushalayim, but could not conquer it.
