(Isa. 3:4)
The fulfillment of this prophecy can be seen in the following tabulation of the reign of the seven kings who ruled from the death of Isaiah to the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 589 b.c. (Book of Mormon dating):
Age When Biblical Label
King Appointed Years of Reign of Character
Manasseh 12 55 Evil (2 Kgs. 21:1–2)
Amon 22 2 Evil (2 Kgs. 21:19–20)
Josiah 8 31 Right (2 Kgs. 22:1–2)
Jehoahaz 23 3 mos. Evil (2 Kgs. 23:31–32)
Jehoiakim 25 11 Evil (2 Kgs. 23:36–37)
(3 yrs. as puppet
king in Babylon)
Jehoiachin 18 3 mos. Evil (2 Kgs. 24:8–9)
(2 Chr. 36:9 (under Babylon)
says 8 yrs)
Zedekiah 21 11 Evil (2 Kgs. 24:17–19)
Note that these kings were appointed between the ages of eight and twenty-five, and all but one were labeled “evil” in the Bible.
(Monte S. Nyman, Great Are the Words of Isaiah [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1980], 35.)
In the time of Isaiah, the Lord was about to allow the invading Assyrians to destroy Israel’s material security. The northern ten tribes were indeed conquered and taken away in the middle period of Isaiah’s ministry (ca. 722 b.c.); however, one king of Judah hearkened to the Lord’s warnings through the prophet Isaiah. As a result, though the people of Jerusalem suffered considerably during an Assyrian siege, the city was spared for another century, until it fell to the Babylonians.
When all capable leaders are decimated in a crisis, inept leaders take over; and then such moral and political problems develop that potentially capable people are reluctant to take office. Wicked leaders, who oppress their people and fail to defend them, will be held responsible by the Lord.
(Ellis T. Rasmussen, A Latter-day Saint Commentary of the Old Testament [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1993], 505–506.)
With the leaders of society killed or taken into captivity, only the poor, weak masses remained. Therefore, the warning in verse 4 that “capricious children” or “babes” (KJV) shall rule over Israel most likely refers to people with childish understanding who will unsuccessfully face the challenge of bringing order to anarchy.
The warning can also be understood literally, though, since many of the Jewish kings before the Babylonian captivity came to rule at a very early age. Ahaz, Hezekiah, Amon, and Jehoiakim were all in their early twenties. Manasseh was only twelve, Josiah a mere eight years old, and Jehoiachim either eighteen or eight, depending upon whether the age recorded in 2 Kings or 2 Chronicles is correct. (See 2 Kgs. 24:8; 2 Chr. 36:9.)
Still another interpretation of verse 4 is possible. The children mentioned might represent those outside the house of Israel who came to rule over the Jews. Jesus said that the Father was able “of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham” (Luke 3:8); Joseph Smith later identified the “stones” as the Gentiles who subjugated the ancient Jews (Words of Joseph Smith, 234–36, 294–95).
In the midst of ruin and “childish” rule, Isaiah prophesies that the people will accept any sort of credentials as a prerequisite for leadership.
(Victor L. Ludlow, Isaiah: Prophet, Seer, and Poet [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982], 103.)
A child prince would be one of little experience. The Hebrew term translated “babes” … has reference to an uncontrollable, ill-tempered, childish person. The root term … means “to drink again deeply.” It is figuratively applied to gratification of lust. It describes petulant, wanton, lascivious, immodest and rude behavior.
(Loren D. Martin, Isaiah: An Ensign to the Nations [Salt Lake City: Valiant Publications, 1982], 77.)