the survivors: This refers to a small group who remained alive. This group is called a remnant. A remnant is a small number of people who survive after great destruction.
A remnant from Jerusalem barely survived. However, their safety was secure because God had promised to preserve them (see Isaiah 1:8–9; 4:2; 6:13; 37:31–32).
These wars taught the remnant an important lesson. They were not to depend on powerful nations such as Assyria for help.
Instead, they were to trust faithfully in the Lord alone (see Isaiah 8:13; 17:7).