Why does it say here "Ko Amar Hashem"?
Radak: He first prophesized about neighbors of Eretz Yisrael. They did evil to Yisrael while they were in their land. Hashem will take vengeance against them. Afterwards, he prophesized about Yisrael who corrupted their deeds. They will be punished; they will be exiled from their land, aside from what they were stricken in their land with the sword, hunger and plague.
Malbim: After describing the Navi and how he was established to be a faithful Navi, the Sefer itself begins. Before the Nevu'os for Yisrael, it puts Nevu'ah of the punishment of Eretz Yisrael's neighbors 1 who did evil to it. Even though Yisrael were stricken for their sin, this does not cleanse those who do evil to them ? "v'Gam Es ha'Goy Asher Ya'avodu Dan Anochi" (Bereishis 15:14).
Malbim: Aram was east of Eretz Yisrael, Pelishtim to the west, Tzor to the north, and Edom, Amon and Mo'av to the south. It begins with Aram, for they harmed Yisrael from the days of Elisha until the days of Yaravam ben Yo'ash, like it says in Melachim.
What is the significance of "Sheloshah Pish'ei Damesek"?
Rashi: It says "Hen Kol Eleh Yif'al Kel Pa'amayim Shalosh Im Gaver" (Iyov 33:29), and if more, more. I already conducted with them like My Midos, to pardon them for three times. If there is more, all the more so 1 ? the small amount is included in the big amount.
Radak: Damesek harmed Yisrael three times. (a) In the days of Basha Melech Yisrael. (b) in the days of Achav. Even though they fought with Yisrael in the days of Yehoram ben Achav, this is not counted for them, since Aram was stricken when they came to Eretz Yisrael. Rather, the third was (c) in the days of Yehoachaz ben Yehu ? "Ki Ibedam Melech Aram va'Ysimem k'Afar Ladush" (Melachim II, 13:7).
Malbim citing Mahari: These are the three known Aveiros ? idolatry, Arayos and murder among them.
The verse continues, Hashem will not pardon a fourth time! Perhaps via Hashem's Midos, he counted the prior sins like three, even though they were more. (PF)
What do we learn from "v'Al Arba'ah Lo Ashivenu"?
Rashi: For the fourth offense, I should not return him empty from paying recompense, and all the more so, that he has many offenses!
Radak: We believe that Hashem does not punish a person for the first, second and third sins ? His Midos are "Nosei Avon v'Over Al Pesha" (Michah 7:18); "Hen Kol Eleh Yif'al Kel Pa'amayim Shalosh Im Gaver" (Iyov 33:29). For the fourth sin, He punishes 1 . Aram's fourth offense was coming against Yehudah in the days of Achaz. Then, Aram was punished for all of them - Melech Ashur came against them, seized Damesek and exiled Aram to Kir (below 5), and killed Retzin. I will not return [Aram] to My pardon, like I pardoned them three times, had he not returned to his sins. After he returned to his sin, I will punish him for all of them.
Malbim: Now that they sinned a fourth time, perforce I must punish them.
Radak: He does not oversee the other nations for good or for bad, only for the sake of Yisrael, unless there is great Chamas (theft), like Dor ha'Mabul, Sedom and Amorah. This is because theft ruins society, and Hashem wants the world to be settled.
What is the meaning of "Al Dusham?"?
Rashi: They threshed the residents of Gil'ad, which is close to them.
Radak: This was Aram's worst sin ? "va'Yakem Chaza'el b'Chol Gevul Yisrael; Min ha'Yarden Mizrach ha'Shemesh Es Kol Eretz ha'Gil'ad" (Melachim II, 10:32-33).
What are "Charutzos ha'Barzel"?
Rashi: It is an iron file. It has many Charitzim (grooves). It is used to afflict people, and to cut chaff of grain to make stubble. Malbim ? this was to afflict them with hot cruelty and flowing anger.
Why does it say "Es ha'Gil'ad"?
Radak citing Targum Yonasan: The residents of Gil'ad. They acted in the way of vengeance and disgrace ? they passed iron files on their bodies, like people thresh grain, and like David did to Bnei Amon ? "va'Yasem ba'Megerah uva'Charitzei ha'Barzel" (Shmuel II, 12:31).
