The definition of “desolate” from Merriam Webster’s
is: “Devoid of inhabitants and visitors…showing the effects of
abandonment and neglect, dilapidated, barren, lifeless, devoid of
warmth, comfort or hope.” Webster’s definition of “waste” is: “a barren
region, uncultivated, a broad and empty expanse.” The context of the
categories described in Haggai 1:11 reveal that God is going to destroy everything
in the splinters. Nothing and no one will be left. He is going to take
the splinter assets, crush their income, dismantle their governments,
destroy all their production and disperse their people—everyone. Think
“barren” and “devoid of inhabitants and visitors.” God’s choice of word
means the splinter “houses” will be uninhabited. And He will make it
clear to the remnant where they should go.
Apparently the splinter group leaders will not learn their lessons and will make one final attempt to thwart Dave in his great reunification. The Bible foretells this, at least in Dave's delusional mind.
Remember that the plagues on Egypt did not cause Pharaoh to let
ancient Israel go. God hardened Pharaoh and deliberately made sure that
He could bring the plagues in sequence to work out His divine purpose.
We may expect some kind of non-literal parallel to occur today.
And no one knows exactly how long such “plagues” will last, but certain
clues indicate they will not be long, perhaps a few months as they did
when Israel left Egypt.