2 Kings Chapter 19

Isaiah's Message of Deliverance

1And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD. 2And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. 3And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth. 4It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that are left. 5So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. 7Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

Sennacherib's Blasphemous Letter

(Isaiah 37:8-13)

8So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish. 9And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying, 10Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. 11Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered? 12Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Thelasar? 13Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?

Hezekiah's Prayer

14And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. 15And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. 16LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. 17Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, 18And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. 19Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.

Destruction of Sennacherib Prophesied

20Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.

21This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin the daughter of Zion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.

22Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.

23By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.

24I have digged and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of besieged places.

25Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps.

26Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded; they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.

27But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.

28Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.

29And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such things as grow of themselves, and in the second year that which springeth of the same; and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruits thereof. 30And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. 31For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.

32Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it. 33By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. 34For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

Sennacherib Slain

(2 Chronicles 32:20-23)

35And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. 36So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. 37And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Isaiah’s Message of Deliverance
(Isaiah 37:1–7)

1 It happened, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of Yahweh. 2 He sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. 3 They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This day is a day of trouble, of rebuke, and of rejection; for the children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to deliver them. 4 It may be Yahweh your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Yahweh your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’” 5 So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall tell your master, ‘Thus says Yahweh, “Don’t be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. 7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him, and he will hear news, and will return to his own land. I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.”’”

Sennacherib’s Blasphemous Letter
(Isaiah 37:8–13)

8 So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah; for he had heard that he had departed from Lachish. 9 When he heard it said of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, “Behold, he has come out to fight against you, he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying, 10 ‘Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, “Don’t let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, 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, by destroying them utterly. Will you be delivered? 12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, which my fathers have destroyed, Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden that were in Telassar? 13 Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivvah?”’”

Hezekiah’s Prayer
(Isaiah 37:14–20)

14 Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it. Then Hezekiah went up to the house of Yahweh, and spread it before Yahweh. 15 Hezekiah prayed before Yahweh, and said, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, who sit above the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Incline your ear, Yahweh, and hear. Open your eyes, Yahweh, and see. Hear the words of Sennacherib, with which he has sent to defy the living God. 17 Truly, Yahweh, 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 have destroyed them. 19 Now therefore, Yahweh our God, save us, I beg you, out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Yahweh, are God alone.”

Sennacherib’s Fall Prophesied
(Isaiah 37:21–35)

20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, ‘Whereas you have prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.

21 This is the word that Yahweh has spoken concerning him: “The virgin daughter of Zion has despised you and ridiculed you. The daughter of Jerusalem has shaken her head at you.

22 Whom have you defied and blasphemed? Against whom have you exalted your voice and lifted up your eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel.

23 By your messengers you have defied the Lord, and have said, ‘With the multitude of my chariots, I have come up to the height of the mountains, to the innermost parts of Lebanon; and I will cut down its tall cedars, and its choice fir trees; and I will enter into his farthest lodging place, the forest of his fruitful field.

24 I have dug and drunk strange waters, and with the sole of my feet will I dry up all the rivers of Egypt.’

25 Haven’t you heard how I have done it long ago, and formed it of ancient times? Now have I brought it to pass, that it should be yours to lay waste fortified cities into ruinous heaps.

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 grain blasted before it has grown up.

27 But I know your sitting down, and your going out, and your coming in, and your raging against me.

28 Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance has come up into my ears, therefore will I put my hook in your nose, and my bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way by which you came.”

29 “‘This shall be the sign to you: You shall eat this year that which grows of itself, and in the second year that which springs of the same; and in the third year sow, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat its fruit. 30 The remnant that has escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. 31 For out of Jerusalem a remnant will go out, and out of Mount Zion those who shall escape. The zeal of Yahweh will perform this.’

32 “Therefore thus says Yahweh concerning the king of Assyria, ‘He shall not come to this city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither shall he come before it with shield, nor cast up a mound against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and he shall not come to this city,’ says Yahweh. 34 ‘For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.’”

Jerusalem Delivered from the Assyrians
(2 Chronicles 32:20–23; Isaiah 37:36–38)

35 It happened that night, that the angel of Yahweh went out, and struck one hundred eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians. When men arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and lived at Nineveh. 37 It happened, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Esar Haddon his son reigned in his place.

Isaiah’s Message of Deliverance
(Isaiah 37:1–7)

1 On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. 2 And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz 3 to tell him, “This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace; for children have come to the point of birth, but there is no strength to deliver them. 4 Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives.”

5 So the servants of King Hezekiah went to Isaiah, 6 who replied, “Tell your master that this is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid of the words you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. 7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land, where I will cause him to fall by the sword.’ ”

Sennacherib’s Blasphemous Letter
(Isaiah 37:8–13)

8 When the Rabshakeh heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah.

9 Now Sennacherib had been warned about Tirhakah king of Cush: a “Look, he has set out to fight against you.”

So Sennacherib again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, 10 “Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah:

‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. 11 Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. b Will you then be spared? 12 Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? 13 Where are the kings of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?’ ”

Hezekiah’s Prayer
(Isaiah 37:14–20)

14 So Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers, read it, and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. 15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD:

“O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. 16 Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God.

17 Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste these nations and their lands. 18 They have cast their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods, but only wood and stone—the work of human hands.

19 And now, O LORD our God, please save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.”

Sennacherib’s Fall Prophesied
(Isaiah 37:21–35)

20 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria. 21 This is the word that the LORD has spoken against him:

‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion

despises you and mocks you;

the Daughter of Jerusalem

shakes her head behind you.

22 Whom have you taunted and blasphemed?

Against whom have you raised your voice

and lifted your eyes in pride?

Against the Holy One of Israel!

23 Through your servants you have taunted the Lord,

and you have said:

“With my many chariots

I have ascended

to the heights of the mountains,

to the remote peaks of Lebanon.

I have cut down its tallest cedars,

the finest of its cypresses. c

I have reached its farthest outposts,

the densest of its forests.

24 I have dug wells

and drunk foreign waters.

With the soles of my feet

I have dried up all the streams of Egypt.”

25 Have you not heard?

Long ago I ordained it;

in days of old I planned it.

Now I have brought it to pass,

that you should crush fortified cities

into piles of rubble.

26 Therefore their inhabitants, devoid of power,

are dismayed and ashamed.

They are like plants in the field,

tender green shoots,

grass on the rooftops,

scorched before it is grown.

27 But I know your sitting down,

your going out and coming in,

and your raging against Me.

28 Because your rage and arrogance against Me

have reached My ears,

I will put My hook in your nose

and My bit in your mouth;

I will send you back

the way you came.’

29 And this will be a sign to you, O Hezekiah:

This year you will eat

what grows on its own,

and in the second year

what springs from the same.

But in the third year you will sow and reap;

you will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

30 And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah

will again take root below

and bear fruit above.

31 For a remnant will go forth from Jerusalem,

and survivors from Mount Zion.

The zeal of the LORD of Hosts d

will accomplish this.

32 So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria:

‘He will not enter this city

or shoot an arrow into it.

He will not come before it with a shield

or build up a siege ramp against it.

33 He will go back the way he came,

and he will not enter this city,’

declares the LORD.

34 ‘I will defend this city

and save it

for My own sake

and for the sake of My servant David.’ ”

Jerusalem Delivered from the Assyrians
(2 Chronicles 32:20–23; Isaiah 37:36–38)

35 And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.

37 One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer e put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.

Footnotes:

9 a That is, the upper Nile region
11 b Forms of the Hebrew cherem  refer to the giving over of things or persons to the LORD, either by destroying them or by giving them as an offering.
23 c Or pines  or junipers  or firs
31 d LXX, many Hebrew manuscripts, and an alternate MT reading; the other alternate reads The zeal of the LORD .
37 e LXX and an alternate MT reading (see also Isaiah 37:38); MT lacks his sons .

Isaiah's Message of Deliverance

1And it cometh to pass, at king Hezekiah's hearing, that he rendeth his garments, and covereth himself with sackcloth, and entereth the house of Jehovah, 2and sendeth Eliakim, who is over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covering themselves with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet, son of Amoz, 3and they say unto him, 'Thus said Hezekiah -- A day of distress, and rebuke, and despising is this day; for come have sons unto the birth, and power there is not to bring forth. 4'It may be Jehovah thy God doth hear all the words of the chief of the butlers with which the king of Asshur his lord hath sent him to reproach the living God, and hath decided concerning the words that Jehovah thy God hath heard, and thou hast lifted up prayer for the remnant that is found.' 5And the servants of king Hezekiah come in unto Isaiah, 6and Isaiah saith to them, 'Thus do ye say unto your lord: Thus said Jehovah, Be not afraid because of the words that thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Asshur have reviled Me. 7Lo, I am giving in him a spirit, and he hath heard a report, and hath turned back to his land, and I have caused him to fall by the sword in his land.'

Sennacherib's Blasphemous Letter

(Isaiah 37:8-13)

8And the chief of the butlers turneth back and findeth the king of Asshur fighting against Libnah, for he hath heard that he hath journeyed from Lachish. 9And he heareth concerning Tirhakah king of Cush, saying, 'Lo, he hath come out to fight with thee;' and he turneth and sendeth messengers unto Hezekiah, saying, 10'Thus do ye speak unto Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God lift thee up in whom thou art trusting, saying, Jerusalem is not given into the hand of the king of Asshur. 11Lo, thou hast heard that which the kings of Asshur have done to all the lands -- to devote them; and thou art delivered! 12did the gods of the nations deliver them whom my fathers destroyed -- Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the sons of Eden, who are in Thelassar? 13Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?'

Hezekiah's Prayer

14And Hezekiah taketh the letters out of the hand of the messengers, and readeth them, and goeth up to the house of Jehovah, and Hezekiah spreadeth it before Jehovah. 15And Hezekiah prayeth before Jehovah, and saith, 'O Jehovah, God of Israel, inhabiting the cherubs, Thou art God Himself -- Thyself alone -- to all the kingdoms of the earth: Thou hast made the heavens and the earth. 16Incline, O Jehovah, Thine ear, and hear; open, O Jehovah, Thine eyes, and see; and hear Thou the words of Sennacherib with which he hath sent him to reproach the living God. 17'Truly, O Jehovah, kings of Asshur have laid waste the nations, and their land, 18and have put their gods into fire, for they are no gods, but work of the hands of man, wood and stone, and destroy them. 19And now, O Jehovah our God, save us, we pray Thee, out of his hand, and know do all kingdoms of the earth that Thou art Jehovah God -- Thyself alone.'

Destruction of Sennacherib Prophesied

20And Isaiah son of Amoz sendeth unto Hezekiah, saying, 'Thus said Jehovah, God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed unto Me concerning Sennacherib king of Asshur I have heard:

21this is the word that Jehovah spake concerning him: 'Trampled on thee -- laughed at thee, Hath the virgin daughter of Zion Behind thee shaken the head -- Hath the daughter of Jerusalem?

22Whom hast thou reproached and reviled? And against whom lifted up a voice? Yea, thou dost lift up on high thine eyes -- Against the Holy One of Israel!

23By the hand of thy messengers Thou hast reproached the Lord, and sayest: In the multitude of my chariots I have come up to a high place of mountains -- The sides of Lebanon, And I cut down the height of its cedars, The choice of its firs, And I enter the lodging of its extremity, The forest of its Carmel.

24I have digged, and drunk strange waters, And I dry up with the sole of my steps All floods of a bulwark.

25Hast thou not heard from afar, it I made, From days of old that I formed it? Now I have brought it in, And it becometh a desolation, Ruinous heaps are fenced cities,

26And their inhabitants are feeble-handed, They were broken down, and are dried up, They have been the herb of the field, And the greenness of the tender grass, Grass of the roofs, And blasted corn -- before it hath risen up!

27And thy sitting down, and thy going out, And thy coming in, I have known, And thine anger towards Me;

28Because of thine anger towards Me, And thy noise -- it came up into Mine ears, I have put My hook in thy nose, And My bridle in thy lips, And have caused thee to turn back, In the way in which thou camest.

29And this to thee is the sign, Food of the year is the spontaneous growth, And in the second year the self-produced, And in the third year sow ye, and reap, And plant vineyards, and eat their fruits. 30And it hath continued -- The escaped of the house of Judah That hath been left -- to take root beneath, And hath made fruit upward. 31For from Jerusalem goeth out a remnant, And an escape from mount Zion; The zeal of Jehovah of Hosts doth this.

32Therefore, thus said Jehovah, Concerning the king of Asshur: He doth not come in unto this city, Nor doth he shoot there an arrow, Nor doth he come before it with shield. Nor doth he pour out against it a mount. 33In the way that he cometh in -- In it he turneth back, And unto this city he doth not come in, The affirmation of Jehovah -- 34And I have covered over this city, To save it, for Mine own sake, And for the sake of David My servant.'

Sennacherib Slain

(2 Chronicles 32:20-23)

35And it cometh to pass, in that night, that a messenger of Jehovah goeth out, and smiteth in the camp of Asshur a hundred eighty and five thousand, and they rise early in the morning, and lo, all of them are dead corpses. 36And Sennacherib king of Asshur journeyeth, and goeth, and turneth back, and dwelleth in Nineveh; 37and it cometh to pass, he is bowing himself in the house of Nisroch his god, and Adramelech and Sharezar his sons have smitten him with the sword, and they have escaped to the land of Ararat, and Esar-Haddon his son reigneth in his stead.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of 2 Kings 19?

2Introduction to 2 Kings 19

3Context of 2 Kings 19

4Ancient Key Word Study

5Compare & Contrast

62 Kings 19 Unique Insights

72 Kings 19 Connections to Yeshua

82 Kings 19 Scriptural Echoes

92 Kings 19 Devotional

10Did You Know

What is the meaning of 2 Kings 19?

Introduction to 2 Kings 19

In this remarkable chapter, we witness one of the most dramatic demonstrations of divine intervention in biblical history. King Hezekiah faces an existential threat from the Assyrian army, which had already conquered numerous nations and now surrounds Jerusalem. Rather than surrendering to fear, Hezekiah models exemplary spiritual leadership by taking his crisis directly to יהוה (Yahweh) in prayer. The chapter showcases the power of faith-filled prayer and God’s sovereign ability to defend His people against impossible odds.

Context of 2 Kings 19

This chapter continues directly from the crisis presented in 2 Kings 18, where Sennacherib’s representatives had openly mocked both Hezekiah and the God of Israel. The Assyrian empire was at its height, having already conquered numerous nations including the northern kingdom of Israel. Their military might seemed unstoppable, and their psychological warfare tactics were legendary.

The broader context reveals this as a pivotal moment in Judah’s history. Hezekiah had initiated significant religious reforms, cleansing the Temple and removing idolatrous practices. This crisis becomes a test of faith not just for Hezekiah but for all of Judah – would they trust in political alliances and military strength, or in the living God? The chapter also connects thematically to Isaiah’s prophecies, as Isaiah plays a crucial role in delivering God’s message of deliverance.

This narrative serves as a powerful illustration of the broader biblical theme of God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises and His willingness to defend those who trust in Him. It demonstrates that even the mightiest human powers are nothing before the sovereign Lord of hosts.

Ancient Key Word Study

תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillah) – “prayer” – This word appears prominently in verses 4 and 15, emphasizing not just any prayer but a specific type of intercessory petition. Its root implies judgment and intervention, suggesting prayer that appeals to God’s justice and covenant faithfulness.
שָׁאָה (sha’ah) – “desolate” – Used in verse 25, this term carries the weight of complete devastation. In military contexts, it often described the aftermath of total conquest, making the Assyrian threat particularly ominous.
בָּטַח (batach) – “trust” – Appearing in verse 10, this word represents complete reliance and security. It’s the same term used throughout Psalms to describe unwavering faith in God, contrasting sharply with trust in human strength.
חָרַף (charaph) – “reproach/defy” – Found in verses 4, 16, and 22, this verb carries the idea of taunting or showing contempt. When directed at God, it represents the height of blasphemy in Hebrew thought.
שְׁאֵרִית (sh’erith) – “remnant” – Used in verse 4, this term carries deep theological significance in Hebrew thought, representing those who remain faithful to God despite widespread apostasy.
קָדוֹשׁ (qadosh) – “holy” – Referenced in verse 22 regarding God, this term denotes absolute separation and transcendence, making the Assyrian blasphemy particularly egregious.
יָשַׁע (yasha) – “save/deliver” – Appearing in verse 19, this root is the basis for the name Yeshua (Jesus) and emphasizes divine rescue from seemingly impossible circumstances.
גְּבוּרָה (g’vurah) – “might/power” – Used in verse 3, this term represents not just physical strength but divine power, often associated with God’s sovereign rule over creation.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 4: “lift up prayer” (תִשָּׂא תְפִלָּה) was chosen over the more common “pray” (פָּלַל) to emphasize the deliberate act of bringing the situation before God’s throne. This phraseology creates a powerful image of elevating the crisis to divine attention.
Verse 15: The phrase “who sits enthroned above the cherubim” employs יֹשֵׁב הַכְּרֻבִים rather than the simpler “who rules,” emphasizing God’s present, active reign and His position in the Holy of Holies.
Verse 16: “Incline Your ear” (הַטֵּה אָזְנְךָ) uses anthropomorphic language deliberately, making God’s attention personal and intimate rather than abstract.
Verse 19: “that all the kingdoms of the earth may know” uses יָדְעוּ specifically, implying not just intellectual knowledge but experiential recognition of God’s sovereignty.
Verse 22: “Against whom have you raised your voice?” employs נָשָׂאתָ קוֹל rather than דִּבַּרְתָּ (spoke) to emphasize the arrogant nature of the Assyrian challenge.
Verse 23: “with my many chariots” uses רֶכֶב, emphasizing military might, contrasting with God’s response using רוּחַ (spirit/wind) in verse 7.
Verse 28: The metaphor of putting a hook in the nose (חַחִי בְּאַפֶּךָ) was chosen specifically to echo the practice of leading captured kings by nose rings, a particularly humiliating image for the proud Assyrian king.

2 Kings 19 Unique Insights

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The chapter contains several layers of profound theological significance. The Midrash Rabbah notes that Hezekiah’s prayer posture of spreading the threatening letter before the Lord (verse 14) became a model for future generations in dealing with written threats against the Jewish people. This action demonstrated both complete dependence on God and a recognition that He is intimately concerned with the specific details of His people’s struggles.

The prophetic response through Isaiah contains a fascinating theological concept known as “מִיָּמִים קֶדֶם” (from ancient days) in verse 25. This phrase suggests that even Sennacherib’s actions were ultimately under God’s sovereign control, fulfilling divine purposes established long ago. The Rabbis saw this as a profound statement about God’s providence – even the actions of Israel’s enemies served His greater purposes.

The miraculous deliverance through the angel of the Lord (verse 35) connects with various Jewish traditions about angelic intervention. Early rabbinic sources suggest this was the same angel who defended Israel at the Red Sea, highlighting God’s consistent pattern of supernatural deliverance. Some early messianic Jewish interpreters saw this as a pre-incarnate appearance of the Messiah Himself, though this view is debated.

The number of Assyrian soldiers killed (185,000) has specific significance in Jewish numerology, with the numbers representing complete divine judgment (100) combined with covenant restoration (85). While we must be cautious with such interpretations, they reflect the Jewish understanding that every detail in Scripture carries meaning.

2 Kings 19 Connections to Yeshua

The pattern of deliverance in this chapter prefigures the Messiah’s work in several ways. Just as Hezekiah interceded for his people before God, Yeshua serves as our great High Priest, making intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). The threat of death hanging over Jerusalem parallels humanity’s condition under sin’s dominion, with deliverance coming through divine intervention.

The defeat of Sennacherib foreshadows the Messiah’s ultimate victory over all powers that exalt themselves against God. Just as Jerusalem was saved by God’s direct intervention, so salvation comes not through human effort but through God’s decisive action in sending His Son. The remnant theme in this chapter connects to how the Messiah would preserve a faithful remnant of Israel who would recognize Him (Romans 11:5).

2 Kings 19 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages. The threat to Jerusalem echoes similar situations in Psalm 2 where nations rage against God’s chosen city. Hezekiah’s prayer recalls David’s psalms of deliverance and Solomon’s temple dedication.

The theological themes reappear in Daniel 3 with the deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and in Esther 3-4 with another threat to God’s people. The New Testament echoes this in Revelation 19 where the armies gathered against God’s people face divine judgment.

2 Kings 19 Devotional

This chapter calls us to examine our own response to seemingly impossible situations. Like Hezekiah, we face moments when human resources and wisdom prove insufficient. The king’s example teaches us to bring our challenges directly to God, laying them out before Him in honest, faithful prayer.

We’re also challenged to consider how we view God’s honor. Hezekiah was moved not just by personal danger but by the reproach brought against God’s name. Do we share this zealous concern for God’s glory? The chapter reminds us that God is capable of defending both His people and His honor.

Did You Know

The Assyrian army was considered invincible, having developed advanced siege warfare techniques including psychological warfare through propaganda, as demonstrated in their taunting speeches.
Archaeological records confirm Sennacherib’s campaign against Judah, though interestingly, his own accounts omit any mention of his army’s destruction, focusing only on having Hezekiah “shut up like a bird in a cage.”
The Hebrew phrase “spreading out” the letter before the Lord uses a term (פָּרַשׂ) typically associated with spreading a sacrifice on the altar, suggesting Hezekiah was making his crisis an offering to God.
The angel’s destruction of 185,000 soldiers would have been one of the largest single-night military losses in ancient history.
Sennacherib’s death by his sons’ hands (verse 37) is confirmed in Babylonian chronicles, occurring 20 years after his failed siege of Jerusalem.
The temple of Nisroch mentioned in verse 37 has been identified in archaeological findings, though its exact location remains debated.
Isaiah’s prophecy about the “sign” of eating volunteer growth (verse 29) reflected agricultural realities after siege warfare, when normal planting would have been impossible.
The reference to Lebanon’s cedars (verse 23) wasn’t just poetic – it represented a crucial economic resource that Assyria sought to control.
The phrase “hook in your nose” (verse 28) references actual Assyrian practices of leading captives by nose rings, as depicted in their own relief carvings.

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Bible Themes

Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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