2 Chronicles Chapter 32
1 After these things and this faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, entered into Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and intended to win them for himself.
2 When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come, and that he was planning to fight against Jerusalem,
3 he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the springs which were outside of the city, and they helped him.
4 So, many people gathered together and they stopped all the springs and the brook that flowed through the middle of the land, saying, "Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find abundant water?"
5 He took courage, built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, with the other wall outside, and strengthened Millo in David's city, and made weapons and shields in abundance.
6 He set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the wide place at the gate of the city, and spoke encouragingly to them, saying,
7 "Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid or dismayed because of the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude who is with him; for there is a greater one with us than with him.
8 An arm of flesh is with him, but the LORD our God is with us to help us and to fight our battles." The people rested themselves on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
9 After this, Sennacherib king of Assyria sent his servants to Jerusalem, (now he was before Lachish, and all his power with him), to Hezekiah king of Judah, and to all Judah who were at Jerusalem, saying,
10 Sennacherib king of Assyria says, "In whom do you trust, that you remain under siege in Jerusalem?
11 Doesn't Hezekiah persuade you, to give you over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, 'The LORD our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?'
12 Hasn't the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, 'You shall worship before one altar, and you shall burn incense on it?'
13 Don't you know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of the lands in any way able to deliver their land out of my hand?
14 Who was there amongst all the gods of those nations which my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of my hand?
15 Now therefore don't let Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you in this way. Don't believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you out of my hand?"
16 His servants spoke yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah.
17 He also wrote letters insulting the LORD, the God of Israel, and speaking against him, saying, "As the gods of the nations of the lands, which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall the God of Hezekiah not deliver his people out of my hand."
18 They called out with a loud voice in the Jews' language to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.
19 They spoke of the God of Jerusalem as of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men's hands.
20 Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.
21 The LORD sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. When he had come into the house of his god, those who came out of his own body killed him there with the sword.
22 Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side.
23 Many brought gifts to the LORD to Jerusalem, and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah; so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from then on.
24 In those days Hezekiah was terminally ill, and he prayed to the LORD; and he spoke to him, and gave him a sign.
25 But Hezekiah didn't reciprocate appropriate to the benefit done for him, because his heart was lifted up. Therefore there was wrath on him, and on Judah and Jerusalem.
26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the LORD's wrath didn't come on them in the days of Hezekiah.
27 Hezekiah had exceedingly much riches and honour. He provided himself with treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of valuable vessels;
28 also storehouses for the increase of grain, new wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of animals, and flocks in folds.
29 Moreover he provided for himself cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him abundant possessions.
30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of David's city. Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
31 However concerning the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent to him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
33 Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the ascent of the tombs of the sons of David. All Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem honoured him at his death. Manasseh his son reigned in his place.
Footnotes
- Verse 21 (came out of his own body)
- i.e., his own sons
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2 Chronicles Chapter 32 Guide
One is almost inevitably halted by the opening statement of the chapter. "After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came." It would seem to be a strange answer of God to the faithfulness of His child, that a strong foe should at this moment invade the kingdom; and yet how often the experience of the people of God is of this nature. Happy was Hezekiah in that in the presence of the peril his heart did not fail. He took immediate action to embarrass the foe by stopping the supply of water, strengthening the fortifications, mobilizing his army, and, finally, by assuring the people, "There is a greater with us than with him."
This attitude of faith was answered by Sennacherib with terrible insults, terrible because they were direct blasphemies against the name of God. At these utterances, more terrible to bear than the fighting without the gates, the king sought refuge in prayer in fellowship with the prophet Isaiah. The answer was quick and final - rout of the enemy and salvation of the people.
The chronicler then briefly relates the story of Hezekiah's illness, and of that failure which characterized his last days. The story is more fully told elsewhere. Notwithstanding the lapses of the latter days, the reign was most remarkable, especially when it is remembered how fearful was the condition into which the nation had come at this time.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
2 Chronicles Chapter 32 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The invasion of Sennacherib, His defeat. -- (1-23)
- Hezekiah's sickness, His prosperous reign, and death. -- (24-33)
Verses 1-23
Those who trust God with their safety, must use proper means, else they tempt him. God will provide, but so must we also. Hezekiah gathered his people together, and spake comfortably to them. A believing confidence in God, will raise us above the prevailing fear of man. Let the good subjects and soldiers of Jesus Christ, rest upon his word, and boldly say, Since God is for us, who can be against us? By the favour of God, enemies are lost, and friends gained.
Verses 24-33
God left Hezekiah to himself, that, by this trial and his weakness in it, what was in his heart might be known; that he was not so perfect in grace as he thought he was. It is good for us to know ourselves, and our own weakness and sinfulness, that we may not be conceited, or self-confident, but may always live in dependence upon Divine grace. We know not the corruption of our own hearts, nor what we shall do if God leaves us to ourselves. His sin was, that his heart was lifted up. What need have great men, and good men, and useful men, to study their own infirmities and follies, and their obligations to free grace, that they may never think highly of themselves; but beg earnestly of God, that he will always keep them humble! Hezekiah made a bad return to God for his favours, by making even those favours the food and fuel of his pride. Let us shun the occasions of sin: let us avoid the company, the amusements, the books, yea, the very sights that may administer to sin. Let us commit ourselves continually to God's care and protection; and beg of him never to leave us nor forsake us. Blessed be God, death will soon end the believer's conflict; then pride and every sin will be abolished. He will no more be tempted to withhold the praise which belongs to the God of his salvation.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.