So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: 'He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. So this is what the LORD saysThis phrase underscores the authority and sovereignty of God. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This introduction to the divine message highlights that the following words are not merely human predictions but the assured declarations of God Himself. It serves as a reminder of God's ultimate control over the affairs of nations and kings, reinforcing the belief that His word is final and trustworthy. about the king of Assyria
The king of Assyria, at this time, was Sennacherib, a powerful ruler known for his military conquests and expansion of the Assyrian Empire. Historically, Assyria was a dominant force, often seen as a threat to Israel and Judah. This phrase sets the context for God's message, focusing on a specific historical figure who posed a significant threat to Jerusalem. It highlights the tension between earthly power and divine authority, reminding believers that no earthly king can stand against the will of God. He will not enter this city
The city referred to here is Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center of Judah. The promise that the king of Assyria will not enter Jerusalem is a direct assurance of divine protection. In the historical context, Jerusalem was under siege, and the threat of invasion was imminent. This phrase reassures the people of God's protective presence, emphasizing that despite the overwhelming odds, God is capable of delivering His people from their enemies. or shoot an arrow here
Arrows were a common weapon in ancient warfare, symbolizing the beginning of an attack. The assurance that not even an arrow will be shot signifies complete divine protection. It suggests that the threat will be neutralized before any harm can be inflicted. This phrase serves as a metaphor for God's ability to prevent even the smallest act of aggression against His chosen city, highlighting His meticulous care and attention to detail in safeguarding His people. or come before it with a shield
The shield represents the preparation for battle, as soldiers would advance with shields to protect themselves from enemy attacks. The promise that the enemy will not even approach with a shield indicates that the battle will not progress to a stage where defense is necessary. This phrase underscores the futility of human efforts against divine intervention, illustrating that God can halt the enemy's plans before they even begin. or build up a siege ramp against it
Siege ramps were used in ancient warfare to breach city walls, representing a prolonged and determined effort to conquer a city. The assurance that no siege ramp will be built signifies that the enemy's plans will be thwarted entirely. This phrase highlights God's power to disrupt and dismantle the strategies of those who oppose His will. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's ability to protect His people from seemingly insurmountable threats, reinforcing the belief in His omnipotence and faithfulness. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe sovereign God of Israel, who speaks through the prophet Isaiah to deliver a message of assurance and protection. 2. King of AssyriaRefers to Sennacherib, the Assyrian king who threatened Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. 3. JerusalemThe capital city of Judah, under threat from the Assyrian army but promised divine protection. 4. Prophet IsaiahThe prophet through whom God delivers His message of deliverance to King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem. 5. King HezekiahThe king of Judah who seeks God's intervention against the Assyrian threat. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and ProtectionGod is in control of all nations and their leaders. His plans cannot be thwarted by human power or military might. The Power of PrayerHezekiah's response to the threat was to seek God in prayer. This teaches us the importance of turning to God in times of crisis. Faith in God's PromisesBelievers are called to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem dire. God's word is reliable and true. Divine InterventionGod intervenes in the affairs of nations and individuals. His intervention is often beyond human understanding and expectation. The Role of ProphetsProphets like Isaiah played a crucial role in communicating God's will and providing guidance and assurance to His people. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the assurance given in 2 Kings 19:32 reflect God's character and His relationship with His people? 2. In what ways can we apply Hezekiah's response to crisis in our own lives today? 3. How does the promise of protection in this verse encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty over current world events? 4. What role does prayer play in seeking God's intervention in our personal and communal challenges? 5. How can we discern and rely on God's promises in the face of overwhelming circumstances, as demonstrated in this passage? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 37:33This verse parallels 2 Kings 19:32, as it records the same prophecy, emphasizing God's promise of protection. Psalm 46This psalm reflects the theme of God as a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, which aligns with God's promise to protect Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 32:20-22Chronicles the same event, highlighting Hezekiah's prayer and God's deliverance, reinforcing the power of prayer and divine intervention. 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 Arms, Arrow, Asshur, Assyria, Bank, Build, Cast, Cause, Earthwork, Enter, Mound, Mount, Pour, Ramp, Says, Shield, Shoot, Siege, Throw, Thus, TownDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 19:32 5206 archers
5527 shield 2 Kings 19:20-37 1429 prophecy, OT fulfilment 2 Kings 19:32-34 5292 defence, divine 2 Kings 19:32-36 7470 temple, significance 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 19:32 NIV2 Kings 19:32 NLT2 Kings 19:32 ESV2 Kings 19:32 NASB2 Kings 19:32 KJV
2 Kings 19:32 Commentaries
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