TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
Hizkiyahu gave him all the silver that could be found in the house of ADONAI and in the treasuries of the royal palace.
Berean Standard Bible
Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace.
American Standard Version
And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of Jehovah, and in the treasures of the king’s house.
World English Bible Messianic
Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the LORD’s house, and in the treasures of the king’s house.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Therefore Hezekiah gaue all the siluer that was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the Kings house.
Young's Literal Translation
and Hezekiah giveth all the silver that is found in the house of Jehovah, and in the treasures of the house of the king;
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In the KJVVerse 10,040 of 31,102
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Commentary on 2 Kings 18 verses 9–16
9 ¶ And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.
10 And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.
11 And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:
12 Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.
13 Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.
14 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.
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.
16 At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.
The kingdom of Assyria had now grown considerable, though we never read of it till the last reign. Such changes there are in the affairs of nations and families: those that have been despicable become formidable, and those, on the contrary, are brought low that have made a great noise and figure. We have here an account,
I. Of the success of Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, against Israel, his besieging Samaria (Kg2 18:9), taking it (Kg2 18:10), and carrying the people into captivity (Kg2 18:11), with the reason why God brought this judgment upon them (Kg2 18:12): Because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord their God. This was related more largely in the foregoing chapter, but it is here repeated, 1. As that which stirred up Hezekiah and his people to purge out idolatry with so much zeal, because they saw the ruin which it brought upon Israel. When their neighbour's house was on fire, and their own in danger, it was time to cast away the accursed thing. 2. As that which Hezekiah much lamented, but had not strength to prevent. Though the ten tribes had revolted from, and often been vexatious to, the house of David, no longer ago than in his father's reign, yet being of the seed of Israel he could not be glad at their calamities. 3. As that which laid Hezekiah and his kingdom open to the king of Assyria, and made it much more easy for him to invade the land. It is said of the ten tribes here that they would neither hear God's commandments nor do them, Kg2 18:12. Many will be content to give God the hearing that will give him no more (Eze 33:31), but these, being resolved not to do their duty, did not care to hear of it.
II. Of the attempt of Sennacherib, the succeeding king of Assyria, against Judah, in which he was encouraged by his predecessor's success against Israel, whose honours he would vie with and whose victories he would push forward. The descent he made upon Judah was a great calamity to that kingdom, by which God would try the faith of Hezekiah and chastise the people, who are called a hypocritical nation (Isa 10:6), because they did not comply with Hezekiah's reformation, nor willingly part with their idols, but kept them up in their hearts, and perhaps in their houses, though their high places were removed. Even times of reformation may prove troublesome times, made so by those that oppose it, and then the blame is laid upon the reformers. This calamity will appear great upon Hezekiah if we consider, 1. How much he lost of his country, Kg2 18:13. The king of Assyria took all or most of the fenced cities of Judah, the frontier-towns and the garrisons, and then all the rest fell into his hands of course. The confusion which the country was put into by this invasion is described by the prophet, Isa 10:28-31. 2. How dearly he paid for his peace. He saw Jerusalem itself in danger of falling into the enemies' hand, as Samaria had done, and was willing to purchase its safety at the expense, (1.) Of a mean submission: "I have offended in denying the usual tribute, and am ready to make satisfaction as shall be demanded," Kg2 18:14. Where was Hezekiah's courage? Where his confidence in God? Why did he not advise with Isaiah before he sent this crouching message? (2.) Of a vast sum of money - 300 talents of silver and thirty of gold (above 200,000l.), not to be paid annually, but as a present ransom. To raise this sum, he was forced not only to empty the public treasures (Kg2 18:15), but to take the golden plates off from the doors of the temple, and from the pillars, Kg2 18:16. Though the temple sanctified the gold which he had dedicated, yet, the necessity being urgent, he thought he might make as bold with that as his father David (whom he took for his pattern) did with the show-bread, and that it was neither impious nor imprudent to give a part for the preservation of the whole. His father Ahaz had plundered the temple in contempt of it, Ch2 28:24. He had repaid with interest what his father took; and now, with all due reverence, he only begged leave to borrow it again in an exigency and for a greater good, with a resolution to restore it in full as soon as he should be in a capacity to do so.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 9–16. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
Against the Pelagians 2.21
Of Hezekiah it is written, “And he did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. He destroyed the high places, and broke the statues in pieces, and burned the groves and broke the brazen serpent that Moses had made.” And again, “He trusted in the Lord the God of Israel, and after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah who were before him. He stuck to the Lord, and departed not from him and kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses, and the Lord was with him, and in all things to which he went forth, he behaved himself wisely.” And, when Sennacherib, the king of the Assyrians, had taken all the cities of Judah, “Hezekiah sent messengers to him, to Lachish, saying, ‘I have sinned, depart from me, and all that you shall command of me, I will give.’ And the king of the Assyrians put a tax on Hezekiah, king of Judah, of three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. And Hezekiah gave him all the money that was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasure houses of the king. At that time, he broke the doors of the temple of the Lord and the plates of gold and gave them all to the king of the Assyrians.” Although such great demands were placed on him, Hezekiah did not hesitate, in the face of stern necessity, to give the Assyrian king all that he had consecrated to the Lord, and it is said to him, “I will protect this city for my own sake and for David my servant’s sake.” Not for your sake, for you had already performed a noble deed when 185, soldiers of the Assyrian army were laid low and slaughtered by an angel.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Second Kings 18:15 records a pivotal moment in King Hezekiah's reign, depicting his desperate act of stripping both the sacred Temple treasury and the royal palace reserves of their silver to pay a massive tribute to the invading Assyrian king, Sennacherib. This profound material sacrifice underscores the immense pressure and fear gripping Judah, highlighting Hezekiah's initial, human-driven attempt to avert the seemingly inevitable destruction of Jerusalem and secure temporary peace through appeasement.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is situated within the broader narrative of King Hezekiah's reign, which begins in 2 Kings 18. The preceding verses establish Hezekiah as one of Judah's most righteous kings, noted for his unwavering trust in the Lord and his zealous reforms against idolatry, including the destruction of the bronze serpent Nehushtan (2 Kings 18:3-7). However, this period of faithfulness is immediately challenged by the formidable Assyrian Empire. 2 Kings 18:13 details Sennacherib's invasion of Judah, capturing many fortified cities. Faced with overwhelming military might and the imminent threat to Jerusalem, Hezekiah sends a message to Sennacherib at Lachish, acknowledging his offense and agreeing to pay any demanded tribute (2 Kings 18:14). Verse 15 then specifies the staggering cost of this appeasement, setting the stage for Sennacherib's continued arrogance and God's miraculous intervention in 2 Kings 19, where Hezekiah ultimately turns to the Lord in prayer.
Historical & Cultural Context: The events described in 2 Kings 18 took place around 701 BCE, during the reign of Sennacherib, one of the most powerful and ruthless Assyrian monarchs. Assyria was the dominant superpower of the ancient Near East, renowned for its brutal military campaigns, its policy of mass deportations, and its practice of exacting heavy tribute from conquered or subservient nations. Kings like Hezekiah often found themselves in an impossible position, caught between resistance that promised destruction and submission that entailed immense financial and political humiliation. Paying tribute, often in vast quantities of gold and silver, was a common practice to avoid total annihilation, though it frequently led to repeated demands and eventual annexation. The "house of the LORD," or the Temple in Jerusalem, was not only the religious center of Judah but also its primary treasury, holding vast amounts of wealth accumulated from offerings, gifts, and previous reigns. Stripping it of its silver was an act of profound desperation, signifying the depletion of both sacred and national resources, a last resort to preserve the city and its people from the Assyrian onslaught.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes within the narrative of 2 Kings. Firstly, it highlights the theme of Desperate Measures and Appeasement. Hezekiah's action demonstrates the extreme pressure and fear gripping Judah, leading him to compromise even sacred resources in a bid for survival. This initial response contrasts sharply with his later, unwavering trust in God. Secondly, it introduces the theme of Material vs. Divine Security. Hezekiah's immediate response leans on human negotiation and material wealth, implicitly contrasting with the ultimate reliance on God's power and protection that would later characterize his fervent prayer in 2 Kings 19:15-19. Thirdly, it subtly points to the Cost of Compromise. While the tribute bought temporary respite, it did not ultimately deter Sennacherib, foreshadowing the futility of human efforts alone against a divinely ordained threat. Finally, this act sets the stage for the overarching theme of God's Sovereignty and Deliverance, even when His people falter in their trust, as seen in the miraculous destruction of the Assyrian army in 2 Kings 19:35-36, underscoring that true salvation comes from the Lord alone.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning and set the stage for subsequent events. There is a strong sense of Irony present, as Hezekiah, a king celebrated for his unwavering trust in the Lord and his zealous removal of idolatry, resorts to stripping God's own house to appease a pagan king. This initial act seems to contradict his established character, highlighting the overwhelming nature of the threat and the human tendency to falter under extreme pressure. Symbolism is evident in the "silver" itself, which represents not just wealth but also national security, sovereignty, and the very resources God had provided. The "house of the LORD" is a powerful symbol of God's presence, His covenant with His people, and the divine protection promised to Jerusalem; its desecration through depletion underscores the depth of Judah's despair and the perceived abandonment of divine aid. Furthermore, the narrative employs Contrast, setting up Hezekiah's initial, human-driven attempt at appeasement against the later, miraculous divine deliverance. This contrast emphasizes the futility of relying on material solutions when faced with an existential threat that only God can overcome, thereby magnifying the power and faithfulness of God in the subsequent chapter.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hezekiah's desperate act of stripping the Temple and royal treasuries serves as a poignant theological lesson on the temptation to rely on human means and material wealth rather than divine provision and protection in times of crisis. While understandable from a human perspective given the overwhelming Assyrian threat, this action reflects a momentary lapse in the very trust for which Hezekiah was otherwise commended. It highlights the inherent danger of compromising sacred principles or resources in the face of fear, suggesting that true security is not found in appeasing powerful adversaries with earthly treasures, but in unwavering faith in God's sovereignty. This episode underscores that God's people, even righteous leaders, can falter and make choices born of fear, yet God remains faithful to His covenant and capable of delivering them through means far beyond human calculation or material sacrifice. It sets the stage for God to demonstrate His power precisely when human resources are exhausted.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hezekiah's initial response to Sennacherib's threat resonates deeply with our own human tendencies in crisis. When faced with overwhelming challenges—whether financial ruin, relational breakdown, professional setbacks, or existential fears—it is tempting to resort to immediate, human-devised solutions, even if they involve compromising our values, depleting resources we consider sacred, or making deals that undermine our long-term spiritual well-being. This verse challenges us to examine where our ultimate trust lies. Do we, like Hezekiah initially, turn to material appeasement or human ingenuity, exhausting our own "silver" and "treasures," or do we, like Hezekiah later, humble ourselves before God and seek His divine intervention? True security and lasting peace are not bought with silver or human compromise, but are found in a steadfast reliance on God's power and faithfulness. This passage calls us to a deeper understanding of stewardship, reminding us that all we possess ultimately belongs to God, and our greatest security is found not in the accumulation or desperate expenditure of earthly wealth, but in His unfailing care and sovereign provision.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Hezekiah, a seemingly righteous king, resort to stripping the Temple of its silver?
Answer: Hezekiah's act, while appearing contradictory to his character as a righteous king, highlights the immense pressure and fear gripping Judah during Sennacherib's invasion. Hezekiah had inherited a kingdom that had previously paid tribute to Assyria, and the Assyrian military machine was notoriously brutal and efficient, having already conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His decision was a desperate, pragmatic attempt to save Jerusalem and its inhabitants from total destruction, as Sennacherib had already captured many fortified cities of Judah (2 Kings 18:13). It reflects a moment of human weakness and a temporary lapse in his otherwise strong faith, demonstrating that even the most devout individuals can falter under extreme duress. It was a last-ditch effort to avoid a full siege, hoping that the tribute would satisfy the Assyrian king and spare his people.
Did this act of appeasement work in the long term?
Answer: No, Hezekiah's act of appeasement only provided temporary relief and did not ultimately deter Sennacherib. While the tribute was paid, Sennacherib's demands continued, and he still sent his commanders, the Rabshakeh, Tartan, and Rabsaris, to Jerusalem to mock and threaten the city, demanding its surrender (2 Kings 18:17-35). This demonstrates the futility of trying to buy off a truly hostile and powerful enemy who seeks total domination. The narrative then shifts dramatically to Hezekiah's renewed prayer and trust in the Lord, which ultimately leads to God's miraculous intervention and the destruction of the Assyrian army (2 Kings 19:35), proving that divine deliverance, not human appeasement or material sacrifice, was the true and lasting solution.
What was the significance of taking silver from the Temple?
Answer: Taking silver from the Temple was highly significant because the Temple was considered the sacred dwelling place of God and a repository of wealth dedicated to Him. It symbolized God's presence among His people and was a testament to His provision and their covenant relationship. Depleting its treasures for a pagan king's tribute was an act of profound desperation, bordering on sacrilege, as it involved diverting consecrated wealth for secular, even unholy, purposes. It indicated that Hezekiah had exhausted all other resources and was willing to compromise even the consecrated wealth of the Lord's house to save his kingdom. This act underscores the severity of the crisis and the depth of Hezekiah's fear, demonstrating a shift, however momentary, from reliance on God to reliance on material appeasement. It also sets the stage for God's later, even more dramatic, vindication of His own honor by delivering Jerusalem.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's desperate act in 2 Kings 18:15 foreshadows the ultimate inadequacy of human efforts and material sacrifices to secure true peace and salvation. Hezekiah's attempt to buy off an enemy with silver from the Temple, though understandable in its human desperation, ultimately failed to provide lasting deliverance or true security. This stands in stark contrast to the perfect and eternal sacrifice of Jesus Christ. While Hezekiah offered earthly silver from a physical temple, Christ, as the true and ultimate Temple (John 2:19-21), offered Himself as the spotless Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, shedding His own precious blood, not perishable silver, to pay the infinite debt of sin. His sacrifice on the cross was not an appeasement of an earthly foe, but a propitiation for the wrath of God against humanity's sin (Romans 3:25). Where Hezekiah's payment brought only temporary relief and failed to avert further threats, Christ's sacrifice brings eternal redemption and reconciliation with God (Hebrews 9:12). We are not redeemed by perishable things like silver or gold, but by the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot (1 Peter 1:18-19). Thus, Hezekiah's human failure highlights the divine perfection of Christ's work, providing the ultimate and lasting security and salvation that no amount of earthly treasure or human compromise could ever buy.