2 Chronicles 32:2

And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,

And when Hezekiah {H3169} saw {H7200} that Sennacherib {H5576} was come {H935}, and that he was purposed {H6440} to fight {H4421} against Jerusalem {H3389},

When Hizkiyahu saw that Sancheriv had come and intended to attack Yerushalayim,

When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come to make war against Jerusalem,

And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,

Commentary

2 Chronicles 32:2 marks a pivotal moment in the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, introducing the immediate and tangible threat posed by the mighty Assyrian Empire.

Context of 2 Chronicles 32:2

This verse sets the stage for one of the most dramatic confrontations in Judah's history. King Hezekiah, who had initiated significant religious reforms, purifying the temple and restoring true worship, now faces an existential military crisis. The Assyrian king, Sennacherib, was a formidable conqueror, known for his brutal campaigns and vast empire. Having already conquered many fortified cities of Judah (as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 32:1), Sennacherib's ultimate goal was Jerusalem, the capital city. Hezekiah's "seeing" refers to his clear understanding and recognition of the imminent danger, not just from rumors but from the direct approach and hostile intent of the Assyrian forces.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Imminent Threat: The verse vividly portrays the clarity of the danger. Hezekiah "saw" the reality of Sennacherib's presence and his "purposed to fight," indicating a deliberate and unavoidable confrontation. This highlights the stark reality of the challenges believers can face.
  • Strategic Awareness: Hezekiah's observation is not passive; it implies a leader's discernment of the enemy's intentions. Recognizing the threat is the first step towards preparing to meet it, as seen in Hezekiah's subsequent actions in the chapter.
  • Vulnerability of God's People: Despite Judah being God's chosen nation and Jerusalem being the city where God's temple resided, they were not immune to external threats. This underscores the need for divine intervention and human faithfulness in times of crisis.

Related Scriptures

The events described here are also recounted in 2 Kings 18-19 and Isaiah 36-37, offering parallel accounts and further details of Sennacherib's campaign and Hezekiah's response. The miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem, a testament to God's mighty hand, forms the dramatic climax of this narrative.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Chronicles 32:2 serves as a powerful reminder that challenges and adversaries are a reality of life. Just as Hezekiah "saw" the clear and present danger, we are called to be discerning about the threats we face—whether spiritual, emotional, or physical. This verse encourages us not to ignore or deny difficulties but to confront them with clarity, knowing that our ultimate reliance is on God. It sets the stage for the importance of trusting in divine strength and wisdom even when human odds seem overwhelming.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 9:51

    ¶ And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

  • Luke 9:53

    And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

  • 2 Kings 12:17

    ¶ Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem.
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