On hearing this report, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the LORD. When King Hezekiah heard thisThe phrase begins with a focus on King Hezekiah, a significant figure in Judah's history. Hezekiah was a king known for his faithfulness to God, as recorded in 2 Kings 18:5, which states that he trusted in the LORD more than any other king of Judah. The context here is crucial; Hezekiah has just received a report of the Assyrian threat, a dire situation that tested his faith and leadership. The Hebrew root for "heard" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and responding. This sets the stage for Hezekiah's reaction, highlighting his awareness and the gravity of the situation. he tore his clothes
Tearing one's clothes in ancient Israel was a customary expression of deep distress, mourning, or repentance. This act is seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in Genesis 37:34 when Jacob mourns for Joseph. The tearing of clothes symbolizes a rending of the heart, an outward manifestation of inner turmoil. For Hezekiah, this act signifies his profound grief and desperation in the face of the Assyrian threat, acknowledging the severity of the situation and his own helplessness without divine intervention. put on sackcloth
Sackcloth, a coarse material usually made from goat's hair, was worn as a sign of mourning or penitence. The Hebrew word for sackcloth (שַׂק, saq) indicates a garment of humility and supplication. By donning sackcloth, Hezekiah demonstrates his humility before God, recognizing his need for divine help. This act of humility is a powerful reminder of the importance of approaching God with a contrite heart, as emphasized in Psalm 51:17, which speaks of a broken and contrite heart being pleasing to God. and went into the house of the LORD
The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. Hezekiah's decision to go to the temple underscores his reliance on God in times of crisis. It reflects a deep-seated belief in the power of prayer and the importance of seeking God's guidance and intervention. This action is a testament to Hezekiah's faith and serves as an example for believers to turn to God in prayer, especially during times of trouble, as encouraged in Philippians 4:6-7. Persons / Places / Events 1. King HezekiahThe king of Judah during a time of great crisis, known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to reform the religious practices of his people. 2. SackclothA coarse material worn as a sign of mourning or repentance, symbolizing humility and penitence before God. 3. The House of the LORDRefers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites and the dwelling place of God's presence. 4. The Assyrian ThreatThe context of this verse is the impending invasion by the Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, which posed a significant threat to Jerusalem and Judah. 5. Prophet IsaiahAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, Isaiah plays a crucial role in the account as God's messenger, providing guidance and assurance to Hezekiah. Teaching Points Humility in CrisisHezekiah's tearing of clothes and wearing sackcloth demonstrate a posture of humility and dependence on God during times of crisis. As believers, we are called to humble ourselves and seek God's guidance when faced with challenges. Seeking God's PresenceBy going into the house of the LORD, Hezekiah prioritizes being in God's presence. In our lives, we should make it a priority to seek God's presence, especially in difficult times, through prayer and worship. Repentance and FaithThe act of wearing sackcloth is a sign of repentance. Hezekiah's actions remind us of the importance of repentance and faith in God's power to deliver and save. Leadership and FaithAs a leader, Hezekiah sets an example for his people by turning to God. This teaches us the importance of leading by faith and demonstrating trust in God to those we influence. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat teach us about handling crises in our own lives? 2. How can we apply the practice of seeking God's presence in our daily routines, especially during challenging times? 3. In what ways does Hezekiah's humility before God challenge our own attitudes when we face difficulties? 4. How does the concept of repentance play a role in our relationship with God, and how can we incorporate it into our spiritual practices? 5. What lessons can we learn from Hezekiah's leadership in terms of demonstrating faith and reliance on God to those around us? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 19This chapter provides a parallel account of the events in Isaiah 37, offering additional details about Hezekiah's response and God's deliverance. Psalm 50:15This verse emphasizes calling upon God in times of trouble, which aligns with Hezekiah's actions of seeking the Lord's help. James 4:10This New Testament verse speaks about humbling oneself before the Lord, which is exemplified by Hezekiah's actions of tearing his clothes and wearing sackcloth. 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 Clothes, Covered, Covereth, Entered, Entereth, Garments, Haircloth, Hearing, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Hezekiah's, Pass, Rendeth, Rent, Robe, Sackcloth, Temple, ToreDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 36:1-22 7240 Jerusalem, history Library Where to Carry Troubles
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord.'--ISAIAH xxxvii. 14. When Hezekiah heard the threatenings of Sennacherib's servants, he rent his clothes and went into the house of the Lord, and sent to Isaiah entreating his prayers. When he received the menacing letter, his faith was greater, having been heartened by Isaiah's assurances. So he then himself appealed to Jehovah, spreading …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Triumph of Faith
'And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15. And Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord, saying, 16. O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, Thou art the God, even Thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: Thou hast made heaven and earth. 17. Incline Thine ear, O Lord, and hear; open Thine eyes, O Lord, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The First Trumpet.
The first trumpet of the seventh seal begins from the final disturbance and overthrow of the Roman idolarchy at the close of the sixth seal; and as it was to bring the first plague on the empire, now beginning to fall, it lays waste the third part of the earth, with a horrible storm of hail mingled with fire and blood; that is, it depopulates the territory and people of the Roman world, (viz. the basis and ground of its universal polity) with a terrible and bloody irruption of the northern nations, …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse 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 Christ Rightly and Properly Said to have Merited Grace and Salvation for Us.
1. Christ not only the minister, but also the author and prince of salvation. Divine grace not obscured by this mode of expression. The merit of Christ not opposed to the mercy of God, but depends upon it. 2. The compatibility of the two proved by various passages of Scripture. 3. Christ by his obedience truly merited divine grace for us. 4. This grace obtained by the shedding of Christ's blood, and his obedience even unto death. 5. In this way he paid our ransom. 6. The presumptuous manner in which …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Harbinger
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. T he general style of the prophecies is poetical. The inimitable simplicity which characterizes every …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 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 The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
WHEREIN ITS GOODLY LIGHT, WALLS, GATES, ANGELS, AND THE MANNER OF THEIR STANDING, ARE EXPOUNDED: ALSO HER LENGTH AND BREADTH, TOGETHER WITH THE GOLDEN MEASURING-REED EXPLAINED: AND THE GLORY OF ALL UNFOLDED. AS ALSO THE NUMEROUSNESS OF ITS INHABITANTS; AND WHAT THE TREE AND WATER OF LIFE ARE, BY WHICH THEY ARE SUSTAINED. 'Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.'-Psalm 87:3 'And the name of the city from that day shall be, THE LORD IS THERE.'-Ezekiel 48:35 London: Printed in the year 1665 …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 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 Concerning the Lord's Supper
There are two passages which treat in the clearest manner of this subject, and at which we shall look,--the statements in the Gospels respecting the Lord's Supper, and the words of Paul. (1 Cor. xi.) Matthew, Mark, and Luke agree that Christ gave the whole sacrament to all His disciples; and that Paul taught both parts of it is so certain, that no one has yet been shameless enough to assert the contrary. Add to this, that according to the relation of Matthew, Christ did not say concerning the bread, …
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Isaiah
CHAPTERS I-XXXIX Isaiah is the most regal of the prophets. His words and thoughts are those of a man whose eyes had seen the King, vi. 5. The times in which he lived were big with political problems, which he met as a statesman who saw the large meaning of events, and as a prophet who read a divine purpose in history. Unlike his younger contemporary Micah, he was, in all probability, an aristocrat; and during his long ministry (740-701 B.C., possibly, but not probably later) he bore testimony, as …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Isaiah 37:1 NIVIsaiah 37:1 NLTIsaiah 37:1 ESVIsaiah 37:1 NASBIsaiah 37:1 KJV
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