The destruction that befell the northern kingdom was a direct judgment from Heaven. The Assyrians were merely the instruments that God used to carry out His purpose. Through Isaiah, who began to prophesy shortly before the fall of Samaria, the Lord referred to the Assyrian hosts as "the rod of Mine anger." "The staff in their hand," He said, "is Mine indignation." Isaiah 10:5.

Nordrigets ødelæggelse var en direkte straf fra Himmelen. Gud benyttede blot assyrerne til at fuldbyrde sin vilje. Esajas begyndte at profetere kort før Samarias fald, og Herren omtalte ved denne profet assyrerhæren som "min harmes kæp". "Min vrede er stokken i hans hånd," sagde han. Es. 10,5.