Traditions connected specifically with Jerusalem have a special interest for Isaiah. The hill on which the city was built-the hill of Zion-and the city itself with its Temple of Yahweh and its kings descended from David, are seen by Isaiah to have a special place in God's plan. God's truth will be revealed to the nations of the world from 'the hill of the LORD' on which the Temple was built (2: 1-5). Isaiah pleads with the people to repent and be purified of their sin (1: 16-18) so that the city will be fit for God's use (1: 25-26).

The promise of God to David (2 Samuel 7: 12-16) that his dynasty will last forever was important to Isaiah. The prophecy of Isaiah 7: 14 about the birth of a child to be called Immanuel is understood by the Gospel writer to be fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1: 23). In 9 : 2-7 there is a poem which describes the great future ruler descended from David: 'He will be called, "Wonderful Counsellor", "Mighty God", "Eternal Father", "Prince of Peace" .' In his own lifetime Isaiah had reason to challenge the kings of Judah for weakness and disloyalty to their task of being the true servants of Yahweh. He prophesied the coming of a king who 'will rule as King David's successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time' (9: 7). To Christians, this is a Messianic prophecy of importance, referring to the coming of Jesus Christ, but in the situation in which Isaiah spoke in Jerusalem it offered a more immediate hope that a really worthy descendant of David would rule over God's people. If this prophecy was given during the reign of King Ahaz who became subject to Assyria, introduced the worship of Assyrian gods into Jerusalem and is described by the writer of the book of Kings as doing what was not pleasing to the Lord his God, then the character of Ahaz was in sharp and unhappy contrast to the character of the ideal descendant of David of whom Isaiah prophesied.

God is portrayed as the defender of Jerusalem against the enemies who try to attack it, because the city has a place in God's plan for his self-revelation to the nations of the world (29: 5-8; 2 Kings 19: 29-36). This idea has its roots in the ancient tradition that Yahweh led his people into battle against their enemies and it was by the power of Yahweh that victory was given to Israel. But God is also portrayed as the one who will attack Jerusalem (29: 3) if the people do not turn from the evil lives they lead.