“Now!

Inhabitants of Jerusalem!

People of Judah!

Judge between me

And my vineyard!

What more was there

To do for my vineyard,

That I have not done in it?

When I expected it

To yield grapes,

Why did it yield wild grapes?”

This song is clearly directed at the people of Jerusalem and Judah, not the northern tribes of Israel with its capital in Samaria. The vineyard is no longer that of a beloved friend. It is now the vineyard of Isaiah himself, who wanted them to judge between him and his vineyard. Who was at fault? Was it him the gardener or the vines themselves? Could he have done more? While he expected good grapes, he only got wild grapes. Why did this happen?