2 Kings 18:18

And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

And when they had called {H7121} to the king {H4428}, there came out {H3318} to them Eliakim {H471} the son {H1121} of Hilkiah {H2518}, which was over the household {H1004}, and Shebna {H7644} the scribe {H5608}, and Joah {H3098} the son {H1121} of Asaph {H623} the recorder {H2142}.

They summoned the king, but those answering the call were Elyakim the son of Hilkiyahu, who was in charge of the household, Shevnah the general secretary and Yo'ach the son of Asaf the foreign minister.

Then they called for the king; and Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebnah the scribe, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder, went out to them.

And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

Commentary

2 Kings 18:18 KJV introduces three key officials sent by King Hezekiah of Judah to meet the Assyrian Rabshakeh during a pivotal moment of crisis. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between the powerful Assyrian Empire and the embattled kingdom of Judah.

Context

This verse is situated amidst the Assyrian invasion of Judah under King Sennacherib, specifically during the siege of Jerusalem in approximately 701 BC. King Hezekiah had initially attempted to appease Sennacherib with tribute, but the Assyrian king continued his aggressive campaign, sending a large army to Jerusalem. The Rabshakeh, a high-ranking Assyrian officer, had just delivered a scathing and blasphemous message, challenging Judah's trust in the Lord and mocking Hezekiah's alliances. In response, Hezekiah dispatches his most trusted and senior advisors to hear the enemy's demands, rather than appearing himself, demonstrating a blend of caution and official protocol.

Key Themes

  • Diplomacy in Crisis: The verse highlights Hezekiah's approach to confronting a formidable enemy. Instead of direct confrontation, he sends representatives to engage in official communication, even under duress.
  • Roles of Authority: It underscores the importance of specific, high-ranking roles within the royal court during times of national emergency. Each official brought a distinct expertise to the tense diplomatic encounter.
  • Facing Intimidation: These men are sent to face an intimidating and arrogant foe, reflecting the immense pressure and fear gripping Jerusalem. Their presence signifies the seriousness of the Assyrian threat.

Linguistic Insights and Official Roles

The KJV text details the specific roles of the three officials:

  • Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household: This position, often translated as "steward" or "prime minister," was the highest administrative office in the kingdom, effectively managing the king's palace and affairs. Eliakim's prominence is also seen in Isaiah 22:20-22, where he is portrayed as a faithful servant replacing Shebna.
  • Shebna the scribe: The "scribe" was a highly influential royal secretary, responsible for official correspondence, records, and state documents. Interestingly, Isaiah 22:15-19 indicates Shebna previously held the position of "over the household" but was demoted, suggesting a complex political dynamic within Hezekiah's court.
  • Joah the son of Asaph the recorder: The "recorder" or "annalist" was responsible for keeping the royal chronicles, documenting significant events, decrees, and historical records of the kingdom. This role was crucial for preserving the kingdom's history and validating its legitimacy.

Related Scriptures

This delegation serves as Hezekiah's direct response to the Rabshakeh's arrival and defiant speech, as described in 2 Kings 18:17. Their mission is to hear the Assyrian's message, which they do without immediate reply, as instructed by Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18:36. The subsequent events, including Hezekiah's prayer and God's miraculous intervention, are detailed in 2 Kings 19:1-7, revealing the ultimate futility of the Assyrian's threats against a nation protected by God.

Practical Application

In times of overwhelming challenge, this verse reminds us of the importance of wise counsel and delegation. Hezekiah, facing a seemingly insurmountable threat, relied on his trusted officials to navigate a perilous diplomatic situation. For us, it highlights that while we may face intimidating opposition, we are called to respond with prudence, seeking wise counsel and trusting in God's ultimate sovereignty. Even when human efforts seem insufficient, the larger narrative of 2 Kings 18-19 powerfully demonstrates that God is capable of delivering His people from the greatest of threats.

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 19:2

    And he sent Eliakim, which [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

  • Isaiah 22:15

    ¶ Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, [even] unto Shebna, which [is] over the house, [and say],

  • Isaiah 22:24

    And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.

  • Isaiah 36:3

    Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah's son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph's son, the recorder.

  • 1 Kings 4:3

    Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.

  • 2 Samuel 20:24

    And Adoram [was] over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud [was] recorder:

  • Isaiah 36:22

    Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with [their] clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
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