2 Kings 19

2 Kings 19 Commentary

by Brad Boyles

For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

1 Corinthians 4:7 NASB

Someone should have talked with Sennacherib and told him this valuable truth. This is the verse that comes to mind for me when I think of all that has unfolded over the last two chapters. The Assyrians become incredibly arrogant, boasting that they are going to steamroll Judah and embarrass God. But that was never going to happen.

I am also drawn to the fact that Hezekiah went directly to the Lord in prayer even after receiving good news from Isaiah. We read this in verse 6…

Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me.

2 Kings 19:6 NASB

Then, later in the chapter, Hezekiah receives the threatening note from Sennacherib and he immediately goes to God with it. He doesn’t assume anything. It’s a constant reliance on God to lead through the situation in the face of intimidation. It’s a direct, one-on-one relationship and God is there leading through the entire situation. He did not through Isaiah, but on his own accord, which was unique to many kings before him. Hezekiah gives us a great example to follow in our own prayer life, especially in the midst of fear and turmoil.