◄ 2 Chronicles 32:10 ►
"This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: What is the basis of your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege?
Study Bible
This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says
Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, was a powerful ruler known for his military conquests and expansion of the Assyrian Empire. Historically, Sennacherib's reign (705–681 BC) was marked by his campaigns against Babylon and Judah. The Assyrian Empire was a dominant force in the ancient Near East, and Sennacherib's words carry the weight of an empire known for its might and brutality. His statement is not just a personal challenge but a representation of the Assyrian threat to the smaller kingdoms, including Judah. The historical context here is crucial, as it sets the stage for understanding the immense pressure and fear that Judah faced.

On what are you basing your confidence
The Hebrew root for "confidence" here is "batach," which implies trust, security, and reliance. Sennacherib's question is a direct challenge to the faith and trust of the people of Judah. In a conservative Christian perspective, this question is not just about military strategy but a deeper spiritual inquiry. It challenges the foundation of Judah's faith in God amidst overwhelming odds. The rhetorical nature of the question suggests Sennacherib's disbelief in any power greater than his own, highlighting the spiritual battle between faith in God and reliance on worldly power.

that you remain in Jerusalem under siege?
The phrase "remain in Jerusalem under siege" speaks to the physical and spiritual endurance of the people of Judah. The city of Jerusalem, with its rich history as the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple, symbolizes the heart of God's covenant with His people. The siege represents not only a military blockade but also a test of faith and perseverance. Historically, sieges were brutal, often leading to starvation and despair. Yet, from a scriptural perspective, remaining in Jerusalem signifies steadfastness and faithfulness to God's promises. Theologically, this endurance under siege can be seen as a metaphor for the Christian life, where believers are called to stand firm in their faith despite external pressures and trials.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Sennacherib
The king of Assyria, known for his military campaigns and attempts to conquer Jerusalem. His question challenges the faith and confidence of the people of Jerusalem.

2. Hezekiah
The king of Judah during Sennacherib's siege. He is noted for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to reform the religious practices of Judah.

3. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, under siege by the Assyrian army. It is a central location for the events of this chapter and a symbol of God's presence and protection.

4. Assyrian Siege
The military campaign led by Sennacherib against Jerusalem, testing the faith and resilience of its inhabitants.

5. Prophet Isaiah
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Isaiah plays a crucial role in advising King Hezekiah and encouraging the people to trust in God.
Teaching Points
Faith in Adversity
Sennacherib's question challenges the foundation of the people's faith. Believers today are similarly called to examine the basis of their confidence in God, especially during trials.

God's Sovereignty
Despite the overwhelming odds, Hezekiah's account reminds us of God's ultimate control over nations and events. Trusting in God's sovereignty can bring peace amidst chaos.

Spiritual Warfare
The siege of Jerusalem is a physical manifestation of spiritual battles. Christians are encouraged to put on the full armor of God and stand firm in their faith.

Leadership and Influence
Hezekiah's leadership under pressure serves as a model for Christian leaders to inspire faith and courage in others.

Prayer and Dependence
Hezekiah's response to the siege includes fervent prayer, highlighting the importance of seeking God's guidance and intervention in difficult times.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern-day "sieges" or challenges that test your faith, and how can you apply Hezekiah's example in these situations?

2. How does understanding God's sovereignty, as demonstrated in the account of Sennacherib's siege, influence your perspective on current world events?

3. In what ways can you strengthen your spiritual defenses to withstand the "sieges" of life, drawing from Ephesians 6:10-18?

4. How can you, like Hezekiah, lead and encourage others to trust in God during times of crisis?

5. Reflect on a time when prayer significantly impacted a challenging situation in your life. How does Hezekiah's reliance on prayer inspire you to deepen your prayer life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 18-19
These chapters provide a parallel account of Sennacherib's siege and Hezekiah's response, offering additional insights into the events and God's deliverance.

Isaiah 36-37
Isaiah's account of the siege, emphasizing the prophetic perspective and God's intervention.

Psalm 46
A psalm of trust in God's protection, often associated with the events of Sennacherib's siege.
Sermons
The Invasion of Sennacherib: 1. a Summons to SurrenderT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 32:9-16
Sennacherib and Hezekiah: Abasement and ExaltationW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 32:9-23
People
Amoz, David, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Manasseh, Sennacherib
Places
Assyria, Babylon, Gihon, Jerusalem, Lachish, Millo
Topics
Abide, Abiding, Asshur, Assyria, Basing, Bulwark, Confidence, Hope, Jerusalem, Placing, Rely, Relying, Remaining, Says, Sennacherib, Sennach'erib, Siege, Stand, Thus, Town, Trust, Trusting, Waiting, Walled, Whereon
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 32:1-22

     5305   empires

2 Chronicles 32:9-19

     7240   Jerusalem, history

2 Chronicles 32:10-15

     8027   faith, testing of

Library
A Strange Reward for Faithfulness
After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came.'--2 CHRON. XXXII. 1. The Revised Version gives a much more accurate and significant rendering of a part of these words. It reads: 'After these things and this faithfulness, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came.' What are 'these things' and 'this faithfulness'? The former are the whole of the events connected with the religious reformation in Judah, which King Hezekiah inaugurated and carried through so brilliantly …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Some Buildings in Acra. Bezeiha. Millo.
Mount Sion did not thrust itself so far eastward as mount Acra: and hence it is, that mount Moriah is said, by Josephus, to be "situate over-against Acra," rather than over-against the Upper City: for, describing Acra thus, which we produced before, "There is another hill, called Acra, which bears the Lower City upon it, steep on both sides": in the next words he subjoins this, "Over-against this was a third hill," speaking of Moriah. The same author thus describes the burning of the Lower City: …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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