Isaiah, a great prophet of Judah who lived in the eighth century, BC. Isaiah prophesied in the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. We know little of his personal life; he had three sons who were a great joy to him, and he stood high at court, for in the book of Isaiah he speaks very familiarly of court life and customs. His writings, though of surpassing poetic beauty, are full of gloomy denunciation of the people for their sinfulness and lack of faith in God. In the reign of Ahaz war was made against Judah by the kings of Israel and Damascus. Isaiah exhorted Ahaz to meet the raiders calmly, looking to God for support. Ahaz defeated the enemy, but turned for help to Tiglath-pileser, king of the Assyrians. This alliance displeased Isaiah bitterly, and he foretold that through it dire things should befall Judah; nor was it long before Judah was chafing under bondage to these very Assyrians. So bitter did the yoke become that Hezekiah, the king, formed an alliance with the Egyptians, and planned a revolt against the oppressors. Again Isaiah bitterly opposed their turning for help to anyone but Jehovah, and foretold the disastrous results which would follow; but Hezekiah would not be dissuaded, and the Kingdom of Judah was almost destroyed. Then the people turned back to God, imploring Him to help them, but Isaiah told them to mend their evil ways.