2 Kings 18:15

And Hezekiah gave [him] all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house.

And Hezekiah {H2396} gave {H5414} him all the silver {H3701} that was found {H4672} in the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, and in the treasures {H214} of the king's {H4428} house {H1004}.

Hizkiyahu gave him all the silver that could be found in the house of ADONAI and in the treasuries of the royal palace.

Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace.

And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of Jehovah, and in the treasures of the kingโ€™s house.

Commentary

2 Kings 18:15 describes King Hezekiah's desperate act of appeasement to Sennacherib, King of Assyria, during a severe national crisis. Hezekiah stripped the sacred Temple and royal treasuries of their precious metals to pay a massive tribute, hoping to avert a full-scale Assyrian siege on Jerusalem.

Context

This verse is set during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, who is generally portrayed as one of Judah's most righteous kings, faithfully serving the LORD and removing idolatry from the land (see 2 Kings 18:3-7). However, a formidable threat arose: Sennacherib, the powerful King of Assyria, invaded Judah, capturing many fortified cities (2 Kings 18:13). In an attempt to prevent the complete devastation of Jerusalem, Hezekiah sought terms of surrender from Sennacherib, agreeing to pay whatever tribute was demanded (2 Kings 18:14). Verse 15 details the immense cost of this desperate bargain: the silver from the House of the LORD (the Temple) and the king's personal treasury.

Key Themes

  • Desperate Measures: Hezekiah's action highlights the extreme pressure and fear gripping Judah. Giving away the Temple's wealth, which was consecrated to God, signifies the depth of his desperation to save his people and city.
  • The Cost of Appeasement: This verse illustrates the heavy price of attempting to placate a powerful enemy through material concessions. While it bought temporary relief, it did not ultimately deter Sennacherib, who continued his demands and threats, leading to a later miraculous deliverance by God (see 2 Kings 19:35).
  • Material vs. Divine Security: The narrative implicitly contrasts reliance on earthly wealth and human negotiation with trust in God's ultimate power. Hezekiah's initial response, though understandable, momentarily shifted his focus from divine protection to worldly resources.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "silver" is kesef (ื›ึผึถืกึถืฃ), a common term for money, wealth, or precious metal. Here, it emphasizes the literal and immense value of the tribute Hezekiah was forced to pay, signifying a significant depletion of both sacred and royal reserves.

Practical Application

Hezekiah's initial response in this crisis offers a timeless lesson. In moments of extreme pressure, it is tempting to resort to human solutions or compromise, even sacrificing what is sacred, rather than placing full reliance on God. This verse reminds us:

  • Trust God in Crisis: While practical steps are often necessary, true security and ultimate deliverance come from God, not from human appeasement or material sacrifice. This echoes the wisdom that the fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
  • The Value of Faith: Hezekiah later returns to a posture of deep faith and prayer, which ultimately leads to God's miraculous intervention. Our initial responses to fear and crisis do not define our entire spiritual journey, but consistent faith is key.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even when His people falter or make desperate choices, God remains sovereign and capable of delivering them according to His perfect will.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 16:8

    And Ahaz took the silver and gold that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and sent [it for] a present to the king of Assyria.

  • 1 Kings 15:18

    Then Asa took all the silver and the gold [that were] left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,

  • 1 Kings 15:19

    [There is] a league between me and thee, [and] between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:2

    Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,

  • 2 Kings 12:18

    And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold [that was] found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent [it] to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.

  • 1 Kings 15:15

    And he brought in the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which himself had dedicated, into the house of the LORD, silver, and gold, and vessels.
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