2 Kings 18:17

¶ And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which [is] in the highway of the fuller's field.

And the king {H4428} of Assyria {H804} sent {H7971} Tartan {H8661} and Rabsaris {H7249} and Rabshakeh {H7262} from Lachish {H3923} to king {H4428} Hezekiah {H2396} with a great {H3515} host {H2426} against Jerusalem {H3389}. And they went up {H5927} and came {H935} to Jerusalem {H3389}. And when they were come up {H5927}, they came {H935} and stood {H5975} by the conduit {H8585} of the upper {H5945} pool {H1295}, which is in the highway {H4546} of the fuller's {H3526} field {H7704}.

From Lakhish the king of Ashur sent Tartan, Rav-Saris and Rav-Shakeh to King Hizkiyahu in Yerushalayim with a large army. They advanced and came to Yerushalayim. Upon arrival, they came and positioned themselves by the aqueduct from the Upper Pool, which is by the road to the Launderers' Field.

Nevertheless, the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh, along with a great army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They advanced up to Jerusalem and stationed themselves by the aqueduct of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field.

And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rab-saris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great army unto Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller’s field.

Commentary

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of King Hezekiah's reign and the history of Judah. It describes the dramatic arrival of the Assyrian forces at the gates of Jerusalem, signaling the climax of King Sennacherib's devastating invasion of Judah.

Historical and Cultural Context

The year is approximately 701 BC. King Sennacherib of Assyria, a dominant superpower of the ancient Near East, had already swept through many fortified cities of Judah, including the strategically important Lachish, where he had established his temporary headquarters. Having forced Hezekiah to pay tribute earlier (as seen in 2 Kings 18:14-16), Sennacherib now sought the complete subjugation of Jerusalem. This verse details the deployment of a formidable delegation and army to demand the city's surrender, setting the stage for a period of intense crisis and divine intervention.

Key Figures and Roles

  • The King of Assyria (Sennacherib): The powerful emperor intent on conquering Judah and Jerusalem.
  • Tartan: This was not a personal name but an Assyrian military title, likely denoting the commander-in-chief or second-in-command of the army.
  • Rabsaris: Another title, possibly meaning "chief eunuch" or "chief court official," indicating a high-ranking administrative or diplomatic role.
  • Rabshakeh: Also a title, meaning "chief cupbearer" or "chief of staff." The Rabshakeh was the primary spokesman for Sennacherib, chosen for his ability to speak Hebrew fluently and deliver the Assyrian king's intimidating message with psychological impact. His infamous speech follows in 2 Kings 18:19-35 and Isaiah 36:4-20.

Strategic Location: The Conduit of the Upper Pool

The specific location mentioned, "the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field," is highly significant. This area was crucial to Jerusalem's water supply, as the conduit brought water into the city. By standing here, the Assyrian officials were asserting control over a vital resource, aiming to demoralize the inhabitants and demonstrate the vulnerability of Jerusalem. This very location was also where the prophet Isaiah met King Ahaz during an earlier crisis, as recorded in Isaiah 7:3, highlighting its historical importance as a public meeting or confrontation point outside the city walls.

Key Themes

  • Imminent Threat and Overwhelming Force: The arrival of "a great host" clearly signifies the formidable military power of Assyria and the immediate, existential danger facing Jerusalem.
  • Psychological Warfare: The sending of high-ranking officials to a public, strategic location was a deliberate tactic to intimidate King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem, aiming to secure surrender without a prolonged siege.
  • Divine Sovereignty (Implied): While this verse focuses on human military might, the broader narrative of 2 Kings 18-19 ultimately underscores God's ultimate control over nations and His willingness to deliver His people when they turn to Him, as demonstrated in 2 Kings 19:35.

Practical Application

This historical account serves as a powerful reminder that throughout history, God's people have faced overwhelming challenges and seemingly insurmountable foes. Just as King Hezekiah turned to God in prayer amidst the Assyrian threat, believers today are encouraged to place their trust in God's power and sovereignty when confronted with their own "great hosts"—whether they be personal struggles, societal pressures, or global crises. The narrative following this verse illustrates that even when all human hope seems lost, divine intervention is possible for those who rely on the Lord.

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

  • 2 Kings 20:20

    And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

  • Isaiah 20:1

    ¶ In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;

  • Isaiah 7:3

    Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field;

  • Isaiah 36:2

    And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller's field.

  • 2 Chronicles 32:9

    ¶ After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he [himself laid siege] against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that [were] at Jerusalem, saying,

  • Isaiah 22:9

    Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.

  • Isaiah 22:11

    Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.
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