Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, along with Shebnah and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak with us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall." Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 18:26? 2. Why did Eliakim request Aramaic instead of Hebrew in 2 Kings 18:26? 3. How does 2 Kings 18:26 illustrate the importance of clear communication? 4. What can we learn about leadership from Eliakim's request in this passage? 5. How does 2 Kings 18:26 connect to James 1:5 about seeking wisdom? 6. How can we apply Eliakim's discernment in our daily conversations today? 7. Why did the officials request Aramaic instead of Hebrew in 2 Kings 18:26? 8. What does 2 Kings 18:26 reveal about language barriers in ancient Israel? 9. How does 2 Kings 18:26 reflect the political tensions of the time? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 18? 11. 2 Kings 18:17 – Why would Rabshakeh speak in Hebrew if he didn’t want Judah’s people to hear his threats? 12. How do we square the accounts of 2 Chronicles 26 with 2 Kings 15, given the differing details about Uzziah (also called Azariah) and his reign? 13. 2 Kings 18:25 - Is the claim that the Assyrian king was acting by God's command consistent with other biblical accounts of divine judgment? 14. 2 Kings 18:5-6 - How can we verify Hezekiah's unprecedented devotion when other kings are also praised elsewhere? Discussion Questions 1. How does the request to speak in Aramaic reflect the officials' concern for the people of Jerusalem, and what does this teach us about leadership?2. In what ways can language and communication be used to either build up or tear down a community, and how can we apply this understanding in our daily interactions? 3. How does the account of Hezekiah's officials relate to other biblical accounts of faith and wisdom in the face of adversity? 4. What role do intercessors play in the Bible, and how can we serve as intercessors in our own communities today? 5. How can we apply the principles of wise communication and faith in God when facing modern-day challenges and threats?1. What made Hezekiah's reign different from that of his father Ahaz? How does this relate to generational differences in religious practice today? 2. Hezekiah destroys the bronze snake because it became an object of worship. What does this teach us about idolatry? 3. How does Hezekiah's response to Assyria contrast with Israel's response that led to their fall? 4. When faced with threats, Hezekiah tried to appease Sennacherib by stripping the temple of its wealth. Was this a faithful decision? How can this apply to situations where we might be tempted to compromise our faith for peace? 5. Why did Hezekiah's officials tear their clothes after receiving Sennacherib's message? How should we respond when our faith is ridiculed? 6. How did Hezekiah's actions reflect his faith in God? How can we show our faith in challenging times? 7. Despite his faith, Hezekiah still faced trials and challenges. What does this tell us about the nature of faith and suffering? 8. What are the 'high places' in your life that may need to be torn down to honour God more fully? 9. Sennacherib's letter was designed to sow doubt and fear among the people of Judah. How can we resist such tactics today? 10. How does the history of Israel's disobedience and deportation serve as a warning for us today? 11. How can we maintain trust in God when facing personal, societal, or global crises? 12. How does Hezekiah's faith inspire you in your own faith journey? 13. In what ways are you challenged to be more like Hezekiah in your walk with God? 14. How can the fear and uncertainty experienced by the people of Judah teach us to handle similar feelings in today's world? 15. What lessons can we learn from Hezekiah's attempts to appease the Assyrians? 16. What does Hezekiah's story teach us about the consequences of both obedience and disobedience to God? 17. How does the response of Hezekiah's officials to Sennacherib's letter inform us about reacting to blasphemy and disrespect towards our faith? 18. How might the Assyrian threat to Judah parallel the challenges faced by Christians in the contemporary world? 19. What aspects of Hezekiah's character would you like to develop in your own life? 20. How can we ensure our trust in God doesn't waver even when facing seemingly insurmountable odds? Links 2 Kings 18:26 NIV2 Kings 18:26 NLT 2 Kings 18:26 ESV 2 Kings 18:26 NASB 2 Kings 18:26 KJV 2 Kings 18:26 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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