desist from his purposes, and flee; though some interpret it only of an inclination, a will (t) in him, to return: it may be understood of an angel, a ministering spirit, and be rendered "I will send a spirit against him"; an angelic spirit, as he did, which cut off his army in one night: and he shall hear a rumour; of the sudden and total destruction of his army; though some refer this to the rumour of the king of Ethiopia coming out to make war against him, Isa 37:9 , but upon this he did not return to his own land, nor was he slain with the sword, as follows: and return to his own land; as he did, immediately upon the slaughter of his army by the angel: and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land: as he did, being slain by his own sons, Isa 37:37 . (s) "indam ei Spiritum", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. (t) So Ben Melech explains it by "will", "desire", "purpose".