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. So Hezekiah received the letterThe act of receiving the letter signifies a moment of confrontation with a dire threat. Hezekiah, the king of Judah, is faced with a message from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, which is filled with intimidation and blasphemy against the God of Israel. The Hebrew root for "received" (קבל, qabal) implies acceptance and acknowledgment of the situation. This moment is pivotal, as it sets the stage for Hezekiah's response, which is not one of despair but of faith and reliance on God. from the messengers
The messengers are the bearers of the Assyrian king's threats. Historically, messengers played a crucial role in ancient diplomacy and warfare, often carrying messages that could determine the fate of nations. The presence of these messengers underscores the gravity of the situation, as they represent the might and arrogance of Assyria, a superpower of the ancient Near East. read it
Hezekiah's act of reading the letter is significant. It shows his willingness to confront the reality of the threat. The Hebrew word for "read" (קרא, qara) also means to call or proclaim, suggesting that Hezekiah is not just passively absorbing the message but is actively engaging with it. This engagement is a precursor to his prayerful response, demonstrating a model of how believers should face challenges—by acknowledging them and then turning to God. went up to the house of the LORD
Hezekiah's decision to go to the house of the LORD, the temple in Jerusalem, is a profound act of faith. The temple was the center of Jewish worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. By going up to the temple, Hezekiah is seeking divine intervention, showing his dependence on God rather than on military might or political alliances. This action reflects the biblical principle of seeking God's presence in times of trouble. and spread it out before the LORD
The act of spreading the letter before the LORD is symbolic and deeply meaningful. It signifies laying down one's burdens and concerns at the feet of God. The Hebrew verb "spread" (פרש, paras) conveys the idea of opening up or displaying. Hezekiah is not hiding his fears or the threat but is transparently presenting them to God, trusting in His power and sovereignty. This act of faith is a powerful reminder of the importance of prayer and surrender in the life of a believer. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe King of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to restore proper worship in the temple. He is a central figure in this passage, demonstrating reliance on God in the face of adversity. 2. The LetterA threatening message from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, delivered by his messengers. It represents the external threat and intimidation faced by Judah. 3. MessengersIndividuals who delivered the letter from Sennacherib to Hezekiah. They are intermediaries in the communication between the Assyrian king and Hezekiah. 4. The House of the LORDThe temple in Jerusalem, where Hezekiah goes to present his concerns before God. It symbolizes a place of divine presence and refuge. 5. SennacheribThe King of Assyria, who is threatening Judah with destruction. His actions set the stage for Hezekiah's response of faith. Teaching Points Faith in ActionHezekiah's response to the threat is a model of faith in action. Instead of succumbing to fear, he turns to God, demonstrating trust and reliance on divine intervention. Prayer as a First ResponseHezekiah's immediate action of going to the house of the LORD emphasizes the importance of prayer as a first response to challenges, not a last resort. Casting Burdens on GodBy spreading the letter before the LORD, Hezekiah physically and symbolically casts his burden on God, teaching us to bring our concerns directly to Him. Seeking God's PresenceHezekiah's choice to go to the temple highlights the importance of seeking God's presence in times of trouble, reminding us of the power of communal and personal worship spaces. Trust in God's SovereigntyHezekiah's actions reflect a deep trust in God's sovereignty over nations and circumstances, encouraging believers to trust in God's ultimate control and plan. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat challenge or inspire your own approach to difficult situations? 2. In what ways can you incorporate prayer as a first response in your daily life, following Hezekiah's example? 3. How does the act of spreading the letter before the LORD illustrate the concept of casting your burdens on God, and how can you apply this in your personal struggles? 4. What role does seeking God's presence play in your life, and how can you make it a more integral part of your response to challenges? 5. How does Hezekiah's trust in God's sovereignty encourage you to trust God in areas where you feel threatened or overwhelmed? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 37:14-20This passage parallels 2 Kings 19:14, providing additional context and details about Hezekiah's prayer and God's response. Philippians 4:6-7This New Testament passage encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, promising peace that guards hearts and minds, similar to Hezekiah's approach to spreading the letter before the Lord. Psalm 55:22This verse encourages casting burdens on the Lord, reflecting Hezekiah's action of laying the letter before God. People Adrammelech, Amoz, Assyrians, David, Eliakim, Esarhaddon, Haran, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Rabshakeh, Sennacherib, Sharezer, Shebna, TirhakahPlaces Ararat, Arpad, Assyria, Cush, Egypt, Gozan, Hamath, Haran, Hena, Ivvah, Jerusalem, Lachish, Lebanon, Libnah, Mount Zion, Nineveh, Rezeph, Sepharvaim, Telassar, Tigris-Euphrates Region, ZionTopics Hands, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Letter, Letters, Messengers, Opening, Readeth, Reading, Received, Spread, Spreadeth, Taketh, TempleDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 19:14 5391 letters
5393 literacy
8224 dependence 2 Kings 19:14-16 5893 insults 2 Kings 19:14-19 5292 defence, divine
8031 trust, importance
8611 prayer, for others Library 'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
'Then Isaiah the son of Amos 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. 21. This 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. 22. Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Invasion of the Assyrians
(Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, Morning.) 2 Kings xix. 15-19. And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said, O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the Lord, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. Lord, 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. Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their …
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country Sermons Whether Charity Requires that we Should Love Our Enemies?
Objection 1: It would seem that charity does not require us to love our enemies. For Augustine says (Enchiridion lxxiii) that "this great good," namely, the love of our enemies, is "not so universal in its application, as the object of our petition when we say: Forgive us our trespasses." Now no one is forgiven sin without he have charity, because, according to Prov. 10:12, "charity covereth all sins." Therefore charity does not require that we should love our enemies. Objection 2: Further, charity …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Sinner Arraigned and Convicted.
1. Conviction of guilt necessary.--2. A charge of rebellion against God advanced.--3. Where it is shown--that all men are born under God's law.--4. That no man hath perfectly kept it.--5. An appeal to the reader's conscience on this head, that he hath not.--6. That to have broken it, is an evil inexpressibly great.--7. Illustrated by a more particular view of the aggravations of this guilt, arising--from knowledge.--8. From divine favors received.--9. From convictions of conscience overborne.--10. …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul 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 The Golden Eagle is Cut to Pieces. Herod's Barbarity when He was Ready to Die. He Attempts to Kill Himself. He Commands Antipater to be Slain.
1. Now Herod's distemper became more and more severe to him, and this because these his disorders fell upon him in his old age, and when he was in a melancholy condition; for he was already seventy years of age, and had been brought by the calamities that happened to him about his children, whereby he had no pleasure in life, even when he was in health; the grief also that Antipater was still alive aggravated his disease, whom he resolved to put to death now not at random, but as soon as he should …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 It is Strange that These Delightful Promises Affect us Coldly...
It is strange that these delightful promises affect us coldly, or scarcely at all, so that the generality of men prefer to wander up and down, forsaking the fountain of living waters, and hewing out to themselves broken cisterns, rather than embrace the divine liberality voluntarily offered to them (Jer. 2:13). "The name of the Lord," says Solomon, "is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." (Pr. 18:10) Joel, after predicting the fearful disaster which was at hand, subjoins the …
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith Scriptural Types.
1. The material world is full of analogies adapted to the illustration of spiritual things. No teacher ever drew from this inexhaustible storehouse such a rich variety of examples as our Saviour. His disciples are the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and a city set on a hill. From the ravens which God feeds and the lilies which God clothes, he teaches the unreasonableness of worldly anxiety. The kingdom of heaven is like seed sown in different soils, like a field of wheat and tares …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Letter xxviii (Circa A. D. 1130) to the Abbots Assembled at Soissons
To the Abbots Assembled at Soissons [45] Bernard urges the abbots zealously to perform the duty for which they had met. He recommends to them a great desire of spiritual progress, and begs them not to be delayed in their work if lukewarm and lax persons should perhaps murmur. To the Reverend Abbots met in the name of the Lord in Chapter at Soissons, brother Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, the servant of their Holiness, health and prayer that they may see, establish, and observe the things which are …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux A Living Book
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Symbol of "Asshur", the principal Assyrian idol.] There is only one Book that never grows old. For thousands of years men have been writing books. Most books are forgotten soon after they are written; a few of the best and wisest are remembered for a time. But all at last grow old; new discoveries are made; new ideas arise; the old books are out of date; their usefulness is at an end. Students are the only people who still care to read them. The nations to which the …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Why is the commandment in the second person singular, Thou? Why does not God say, You shall have no other gods? Because the commandment concerns every one, and God would have each one take it as spoken to him by name. Though we are forward to take privileges to ourselves, yet we are apt to shift off duties from ourselves to others; therefore the commandment is in the second person, Thou and Thou, that every one may know that it is spoken to him, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 19:14 NIV2 Kings 19:14 NLT2 Kings 19:14 ESV2 Kings 19:14 NASB2 Kings 19:14 KJV
2 Kings 19:14 Commentaries
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