And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: "O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. And Hezekiah prayedHezekiah, the king of Judah, is depicted as a man of faith and prayer. The Hebrew root for "prayed" is "פלל" (palal), which means to intercede or make supplication. This act of prayer signifies Hezekiah's reliance on divine intervention in a time of crisis, as the Assyrian army threatened Jerusalem. It underscores the importance of turning to God in times of distress, a theme prevalent throughout the Scriptures. before the LORD
The phrase "before the LORD" indicates a posture of humility and reverence. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "יהוה" (YHWH), the sacred name of God, emphasizing His covenant relationship with Israel. Hezekiah's approach to God highlights the personal and direct access believers have to the divine, a privilege that is foundational to the Judeo-Christian faith. and said 'O LORD, God of Israel
Hezekiah addresses God as the "God of Israel," affirming the special relationship between God and His chosen people. This title reflects the covenantal promises made to the patriarchs and the nation of Israel. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His role as the protector and sustainer of His people. enthroned between the cherubim
This phrase refers to the Ark of the Covenant, where God's presence was believed to dwell, symbolized by the cherubim on the mercy seat. The imagery of God being "enthroned" suggests His sovereignty and majesty. It evokes the holiness and awe associated with God's presence, as well as His role as the ultimate judge and king. You alone are God
Hezekiah's declaration of monotheism is a central tenet of the Hebrew faith. The exclusivity of God is emphasized, rejecting the polytheistic beliefs of surrounding nations. This assertion of God's singularity and supremacy is a call to recognize His unparalleled authority and power. over all the kingdoms of the earth
This phrase acknowledges God's dominion not just over Israel, but over all nations. It reflects the biblical worldview that God is the sovereign ruler of the entire world, a theme that runs throughout the prophetic literature. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate control over history and the affairs of humanity. You made the heavens and the earth
Hezekiah concludes his prayer by affirming God as the Creator. The Hebrew verb "עשה" (asah) means to make or create, underscoring God's creative power and authority over the universe. This acknowledgment of God as Creator reinforces His omnipotence and the belief that all of creation is subject to His will. It is a testament to the foundational belief in God's role as the originator and sustainer of all life. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe King of Judah who is known for his faithfulness to God. He is facing a dire threat from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib, and turns to God in prayer. 2. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, whom Hezekiah acknowledges as the one true God, sovereign over all the earth. 3. CherubimAngelic beings associated with the presence of God, often depicted as part of the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's throne. 4. Kingdoms of the EarthRefers to all nations, emphasizing God's sovereignty over all political powers and realms. 5. Heavens and the EarthAcknowledges God as the Creator, reinforcing His ultimate authority and power. Teaching Points Acknowledging God's SovereigntyHezekiah's prayer begins with a recognition of God's supreme authority. In our own lives, we should start our prayers by acknowledging God's sovereignty over all circumstances. God as CreatorRecognizing God as the Creator of the heavens and the earth reminds us of His power and ability to intervene in our lives. This should encourage us to trust Him with our challenges. Prayer in Times of CrisisHezekiah turns to God in a moment of national crisis. We are encouraged to seek God earnestly in prayer when facing our own trials and uncertainties. Faith in God's Unique NatureHezekiah declares that God alone is God. This exclusivity of faith is crucial in a world with many competing ideologies and beliefs. The Importance of WorshipBy acknowledging God’s position and power, Hezekiah’s prayer is an act of worship. Our prayers should also be filled with worship, recognizing who God is. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hezekiah's approach to prayer in 2 Kings 19:15 serve as a model for our own prayer life, especially in times of crisis? 2. In what ways does acknowledging God as the Creator influence our trust in His ability to handle our personal and global challenges? 3. How can we apply the concept of God's sovereignty over "all the kingdoms of the earth" to our understanding of current world events? 4. What are some practical ways we can incorporate worship into our daily prayers, following Hezekiah's example? 5. How does the recognition of God as "enthroned between the cherubim" enhance our understanding of His holiness and majesty, and how should this impact our relationship with Him? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 37:16This verse parallels 2 Kings 19:15, as it records the same prayer of Hezekiah, emphasizing the consistency of the biblical account. Psalm 80:1Describes God as enthroned between the cherubim, highlighting His majesty and divine presence. Genesis 1:1Connects to the acknowledgment of God as the Creator of the heavens and the earth, establishing His authority from the beginning. Revelation 4:11Celebrates God’s sovereignty and creative power, similar to Hezekiah’s acknowledgment in his prayer. | The Invasion of the Assyrians | Charles Kingsley | 2 Kings 19:15 | | A Nation's Calamities, Counsellor, and God | David Thomas, D. D. | 2 Kings 19:1-37 | | A Nation's Calamities, Counselor, and God | D. Thomas | 2 Kings 19:1-37 | | Sennacherib's Letter | J. Orr | 2 Kings 19:8-19 | | Our Difficulties, and How to Deal with Them | C.H. Irwin | 2 Kings 19:8-37 | | A King in Prayer | Homiletic Quarterly | 2 Kings 19:15-19 | | Hezekiah in Trouble | W. Borrows, M. A. | 2 Kings 19:15-19 | | Hezekiah, or Prayer in Trouble | B. Jacob, A. M. | 2 Kings 19:15-19 | | Laying Down the Burden | | 2 Kings 19:15-19 | | Prayer in Emergencies | G. F. Prescott, M. A. | 2 Kings 19:15-19 | | Spiritual-Mindedness a Protection | A. Maclaren, D. D. | 2 Kings 19:15-19 | | What to Do When Trouble Comes | M. G. Pearse. | 2 Kings 19:15-19 |
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 Alone, Cherubim, Cherubs, Dwellest, Enthroned, Hast, Heaven, Heavens, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Inhabiting, Kingdoms, O, Ones, Prayed, Prayer, Prayeth, Saying, Seated, Sit, Sittest, Thyself, WingedDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 19:15 4055 heaven and earth
4150 cherubim
4203 earth, the
4287 universe
5367 kingdoms
5581 throne
9230 judgment seat 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 19:15 NIV2 Kings 19:15 NLT2 Kings 19:15 ESV2 Kings 19:15 NASB2 Kings 19:15 KJV
2 Kings 19:15 Commentaries
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