2 Kings 18-20 is about the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, highlighting his religious reforms, military challenges from the Assyrian Empire, and a profound personal encounter with God that illustrates themes of faith, deliverance, and divine intervention in times of crisis.
1 In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign.
2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.
3 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done.
4 He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan).
5 He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him.
6 For he held fast to the Lord. He did not depart from following him, but kept the commandments that the Lord commanded Moses.
7 And the Lord was with him; wherever he went out, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and would not serve him.
8 He struck down the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.
9 In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria and besieged it.
10 And at the end of three years they captured it.
11 The king of Assyria carried the Israelites away to Assyria and put them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes,
12 because they did not obey the voice of the Lord their God but transgressed his covenant, even all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded. They neither listened nor obeyed.
13 In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them.
14 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me. Whatever you impose on me I will bear.” And the king of Assyria required of Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
15 And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasuries of the king’s house.
16 At that time Hezekiah stripped the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord and from the doorposts that he had overlaid and gave it to the king of Assyria.
17 And the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rab-saris, and the Rabshakeh with a great army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. When they arrived, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is on the highway to the Washer’s Field.
18 And when they called for the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder.
19 And the Rabshakeh said to them, “Say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours?
20 You say (but they are but empty words), ‘I have counsel and strength for war.’ Now on whom do you rely, that you have rebelled against me?
21 Behold, you are trusting now in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.
22 But if you say to me, “We trust in the Lord our God,” is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, “You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem”?
23 Come now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them.
24 How then can you repulse a single captain among the least of my master’s servants, when you trust in Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
25 Am I now come up without the Lord against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, “Go up against this land and destroy it.”
26 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Do not speak to us in the language of Judah within the hearing of the people who are on the wall.”
27 But the Rabshakeh said to them, “Has my master sent me to speak these words to your master and to you, and not to the men sitting on the wall, who are doomed with you to eat their own dung and drink their own urine?”
28 Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria!
29 Thus says the king: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you out of my hand.
30 “Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord by saying, ‘The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’”
31 Do not listen to Hezekiah, for thus says the king of Assyria: ‘Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own cistern,
32 until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey, that you may live, and not die. And do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying, “The Lord will deliver us.”
33 Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
34 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?
35 Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’”
36 But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s command was, “Do not answer him.”
37 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and told him the words of the Rabshakeh.
1 As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord.
2 And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz.
3 And they said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, This day is a day of distress, of rebuke, and of disgrace; children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to bring them forth.
4 It may be that the Lord your God heard all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke the words that the Lord your God has heard; therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.
5 When the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah,
6 Isaiah said to them, “Thus shall you say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the young men of the king of Assyria have reviled me.
7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.
8 Then the Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had left Lachish.
9 Now the king heard concerning Tirhakah king of Cush, “Behold, he has set out to fight against you.” So he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying,
10 “Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.
11 Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, devoting them to destruction. And shall you be delivered?
12 have the gods of the nations delivered them, the nations that my fathers destroyed, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar?
13 Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, the king of Hena, or the king of Ivvah?”
14 Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord.
15 And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said: “O Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth.
16 Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God.
17Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands
18 and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed.
19 So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.”
20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Your prayer to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.
21 This is the word that the Lord has spoken concerning him: “‘She despises you, she scorns you— the virgin daughter of Zion; she wags her head behind you— the daughter of Jerusalem.
22 Whom have you mocked and reviled?
Against whom have you raised your voice
and lifted your eyes to the heights?
Against the Holy One of Israel!
23 By your messengers you have mocked the Lord, and you have said, ‘With my many chariots I have gone up the heights of the mountains, to the far recesses of Lebanon; I felled its tallest cedars, its choicest cypresses; I entered its farthest lodging place, its most fruitful forest.
24 I dug wells and drank foreign waters, and I dried up with the sole of my foot all the streams of Egypt.
25 “Have you not heard
that I determined it long ago?
I planned from days of old
what now I bring to pass,
that you should make fortified cities
crash into heaps of ruins,
26 Therefore their inhabitants were of small power;
they were dismayed and confounded;
they were like the grass of the field
and like the green herb,
like the grass on the housetops
and like a field of grain
before it is grown.
27 “But I know your sitting down and your going out and coming in, and your raging against me.
28 Because your rage against me and your complacency has come up to my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back on the way by which you came.
29 “And this shall be the sign for you: this year you shall eat what grows of itself, and in the second year what springs from that. Then in the third year sow and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat their fruit.
30 And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward.
31 For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the Lord will do this.
32 Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there, or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it.
33 By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the Lord.
34 For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David.
35 And that night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.
36 And Sennacherib the king of Assyria departed and went home and lived at Nineveh.
37 And as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer, his sons, struck him down with the sword. And after they escaped into the land of Ararat, Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.
1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’”
2 Then he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying,
3 “Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 And when Isaiah had gone out into the middle of the court, the word of the Lord came to him:
5 “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.”
6 And I will add fifteen years to your life.
7 And Isaiah said, “Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover.”
8 And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the Lord on the third day?”
9 And Isaiah said, “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he has promised: shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps?”
10 And Hezekiah answered, “It is an easy thing for the shadow to lengthen ten steps. Rather let the shadow go back ten steps.”
11 And Isaiah the prophet called to the Lord, and he brought the shadow back ten steps, by which it had gone down on the steps of Ahaz.
12 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
13 And Hezekiah welcomed them, and he showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them.
14 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” And Hezekiah said, “They have come from a far country, from Babylon.”
15 And he said, “What have they seen in your house?” And Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.”
16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord:
17 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord.
18 And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
19 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?”
20 The rest of the deeds of Hezekiah and all his might and how he made the pool and the conduit and brought water into the city, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?
21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and Manasseh his son reigned in his place.
Setting the Scene for 2 Kings 18-20
In the heart of ancient Jerusalem, the air is thick with tension as King Hezekiah stands resolute on the palace balcony, surveying the city that has been his charge. The sun hangs low in the sky, casting long shadows over the stone walls that have withstood countless sieges. Hezekiah, a king known for his faithfulness to God and his reforms, has recently faced the formidable Assyrian army, led by the ruthless King Sennacherib. The people of Jerusalem are gripped by fear, their hearts heavy with the weight of impending doom as the Assyrian forces encircle the city, demanding surrender. The atmosphere is charged with uncertainty, yet Hezekiah’s unwavering faith in God provides a flicker of hope amidst the despair.
In the palace, the prophet Isaiah stands beside Hezekiah, a man of God who has been a guiding light during these dark times. Isaiah, with his weathered face and piercing eyes, has delivered messages of both warning and reassurance to the king. He has witnessed the spiritual revival that Hezekiah has fostered among the people, urging them to turn back to the Lord and abandon the idols that once plagued their land. The two men share a moment of quiet resolve, knowing that their fate rests not in the might of armies but in the hands of the Almighty. Outside, the sounds of the city are muted, the usual hustle and bustle replaced by an eerie stillness as the citizens await the outcome of this dire confrontation.
As the sun begins to set, casting a golden hue over the city, Hezekiah retreats to the temple, a sacred space filled with the scent of incense and the flickering light of oil lamps. Here, he lays out his fears before God, pouring out his heart in prayer, seeking divine intervention against the Assyrian threat. The temple walls, adorned with intricate carvings and symbols of faith, seem to echo his cries. In this moment of vulnerability, Hezekiah embodies the struggle of a leader caught between the pressures of his people and the promises of his God. The scene is one of profound spiritual warfare, where faith meets fear, and the outcome remains uncertain, yet the hope for deliverance lingers in the air like the last rays of sunlight before nightfall.
What is 2 Kings 18-20 about?
We encounter a profound narrative that encapsulates themes of faithfulness, divine deliverance, and the power of prayer in examining the chapters detailing King Hezekiah’s reign. Hezekiah stands out as a model of righteous leadership in times of crisis. When faced with the impending threat from the Assyrian empire, he demonstrates unwavering faith rather than succumbing to fear. This begs the question: how often do we find ourselves in situations that challenge our beliefs or test our resilience? Hezekiah’s reliance on God amid insurmountable odds encourages us to reflect on our own responses to adversity. Do we turn toward our faith, as Hezekiah did, or do we falter? God delivers Hezekiah and the people of Judah in a miraculous way, highlighting the concept of divine intervention. When it seems all hope is lost, God responds to Hezekiah’s heartfelt prayers and steadfast faith. This aspect of the narrative prompts us to consider our understanding of God’s presence and power in our lives. How does this story challenge our perspective on seeking help in times of trouble? The text powerfully illustrates that faith can lead to unexpected and miraculous outcomes, forging a connection with the divine that is capable of altering our circumstances dramatically. Living in faith and turning to God during moments of fear and uncertainty can lead to profound transformation—not just in our situations, but also within our own hearts, as we reflect on Hezekiah’s legacy. Are we ready to embrace such faith in our challenges? The story of King Hezekiah encourages us to cultivate an unwavering faith that can inspire not just ourselves, but those around us, reinforcing the idea that in unity and trust in God, we may discover our own paths to deliverance.
Understanding what 2 Kings 18-20 really means
The passage of 2 Kings 18-20 presents a compelling narrative during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. It showcases his unwavering faithfulness to God amidst formidable challenges, particularly the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire. This account is rich with themes that resonate deeply with our own lives, such as trust, divine deliverance, and the perils of pride. As we delve into this text, we can uncover valuable lessons that remain relevant today.
One of the most striking themes is Hezekiah’s faithfulness in adversity. Faced with the Assyrian siege, he turned to God for help, demonstrating a profound reliance on divine strength rather than human might. This act of faith is not merely historical; it serves as a model for us when we encounter our own trials. How often do we find ourselves in situations that feel overwhelming? Hezekiah’s example encourages us to seek God earnestly, reminding us that our struggles can lead to spiritual growth and deeper trust in Him.
The narrative also highlights God’s miraculous deliverance. When Jerusalem was on the brink of destruction, God intervened in a powerful way, saving the city and its people. This moment underscores a vital truth: God is actively involved in our lives, ready to deliver us from our challenges. Reflecting on this, we might ask ourselves: Do we recognize God’s hand in our own deliverances? Are we quick to attribute our victories to our efforts rather than acknowledging His sovereignty?
However, the story takes a sobering turn with Hezekiah’s later pride. After experiencing God’s miraculous intervention, he allowed his heart to swell with arrogance, leading to dire consequences. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride. Proverbs 16:18 reminds us that “pride goes before destruction.” How can we cultivate humility in our own lives? Recognizing our dependence on God is crucial, especially after experiencing His blessings.
In today’s world, many of us face our own “Assyrian armies,” whether they manifest as personal struggles, health crises, or societal pressures. The story of Hezekiah is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and reliance on God. It encourages us to turn to Him in prayer, just as Hezekiah did. A friend of mine faced a significant health crisis that left him feeling overwhelmed. Much like Hezekiah, he sought support from his faith community and turned to prayer. Through this process, he found peace and clarity, ultimately leading to a miraculous recovery. His experience echoes the essence of Hezekiah’s reliance on God during dire circumstances.
Several meaningful phrases in this passage stand out. “He trusted in the Lord” encapsulates Hezekiah’s character and serves as a call to us. Trusting in God means placing our confidence in His power, especially when circumstances seem insurmountable. Additionally, “The Lord saved Jerusalem” highlights God’s active role in our lives, reminding us that deliverance comes from Him alone. Finally, the question, “What is that you have done?” reflects our accountability in our actions. Hezekiah’s later pride serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and recognizing our dependence on God.
In conclusion, the narrative of 2 Kings 18-20 is more than a historical account; it is a powerful reminder of faith, divine intervention, and the necessity of humility. As we navigate our own lives, may we learn from Hezekiah’s example and continually seek God’s guidance and strength in all circumstances. Let us embrace the lessons of trust, deliverance, and humility, allowing them to shape our journey of faith.
How can we strengthen our faith during challenging times?
During challenging times, it is essential to remember the importance of prayer and communication with the divine. Engaging in heartfelt prayer allows us to express our fears, hopes, and desires, fostering a deeper connection with God. Such practices create a space for reflection and spiritual growth, helping us gain clarity and understanding as we navigate life’s difficulties. This bond can serve as a source of strength, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles.
Additionally, leaning on the community of faith can provide necessary support and encouragement. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who share our beliefs can inspire us during tough moments. This communal faith reinforces the idea that we are part of something larger, which can be incredibly comforting. The shared experiences, prayers, and discussions can uplift our spirits and remind us of God’s presence and provision.
Lastly, it is vital to cultivate a mindset of hope and trust. Even in the face of adversity, recalling past instances where we have experienced divine intervention or support can bolster our current faith. Focusing on the promises and faithfulness of God encourages us to maintain optimism and perseverance. This perspective allows us to endure challenges with a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that our faith can guide us through even the darkest times.
Application
In your life, just like King Hezekiah, you face challenges that feel overwhelming, like heavy traffic during rush hour. But remember, trusting in a higher power can light the way, just as a GPS guides you through detours. When tough times hit, take a moment to pause and connect with God; pray, read uplifting scriptures, and find your path. Cast away your doubts and step boldly into your future—how will you navigate the roadblocks ahead with unshakeable faith?
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.