1 The prophet Nahum prophesied of the destruction that the Assyrians would do against the people of Israel and Judah. As was done by Salmanasser and Sanherib because of their great sin. But so far that the rest of the pious should be preserved; as happened to Ezechia and his like. Therefore it seems that he was before Isaiah, or about the same time as Isaiah.
2 Then he proclaims the destruction of the kingdom of Assyria, especially of the city of Nineveh, which was very righteous in the days of Jonah, but afterward became again full of wickedness, and greatly afflicted the captives of Israel; that Tobias also proclaims a final destruction to their wickedness, saying [Cap. 14:13], "Their wickedness shall bring them to an end." So he consoles after his name (for Nahum is called con
solator, in German a comforter) the people of God, like their enemies, the Assyrians, shall again be disturbed.
3) At the end of the first chapter 1) it also reads, like Isaiah Cap. 52, 7, of the good preachers who proclaim peace and salvation on the mountains, and is called Judah rejoicing. Although this may be understood from the time of Ezekiel after Sanherib, when Judah was saved and remained before King Sanherib, it is a common prophecy, also concerning Christ, that the good news and the joyful service of God, taught and confirmed by God's word, should remain in Judah, which is why he is called and is a true Nahum.
1) This is: Cap. 2, 1.