2 Kings 18:31

Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make [an agreement] with me by a present, and come out to me, and [then] eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:

Hearken {H8085} not to Hezekiah {H2396}: for thus saith {H559} the king {H4428} of Assyria {H804}, Make {H6213} an agreement with me by a present {H1293}, and come out {H3318} to me, and then eat {H398} ye every man {H376} of his own vine {H1612}, and every one {H376} of his fig tree {H8384}, and drink {H8354} ye every one {H376} the waters {H4325} of his cistern {H953}:

Don't listen to Hizkiyahu.' For this is what the king of Ashur says: 'Make peace with me, surrender to me. Then every one of you can eat from his vine and fig tree and drink the water in his own cistern;

Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and his own fig tree, and drink water from his own cistern,

Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make your peace with me, and come out to me; and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig-tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;

Commentary

2 Kings 18:31 captures a critical moment during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. This verse records the insidious words of Rabshakeh, the field commander of King Sennacherib of Assyria, attempting to undermine King Hezekiah's leadership and persuade the people of Judah to surrender.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the late 8th century BC, the Assyrian Empire was the dominant superpower, known for its brutal military campaigns and effective psychological warfare. King Sennacherib had already conquered many cities in Judah, and Jerusalem was his next target. King Hezekiah, in contrast to previous kings, had initiated significant religious reforms, urging his people to trust in the Lord and resist foreign alliances. Rabshakeh's speech, delivered in Hebrew so the people could understand, was a deliberate attempt to sow fear and division, painting Hezekiah as untrustworthy and Assyria as a benevolent liberator. This tactic was common in ancient warfare to break a city's morale before a full assault.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Deceptive Promises: Rabshakeh offers a seemingly attractive deal: surrender in exchange for immediate peace and prosperity ("eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree"). This imagery of sitting under one's own vine and fig tree was a common biblical symbol of security and well-being. However, it was a trap designed to lead to eventual exile and subjugation, as Assyrian policy typically involved deporting conquered peoples.
  • Undermining Leadership: The opening command, "Hearken not to Hezekiah," directly challenges the king's authority and his call for faith in God. This highlights the enemy's strategy to isolate the people from their spiritual and political leaders.
  • False Security vs. True Deliverance: The Assyrian offer promises immediate comfort, a stark contrast to the hardships of a siege. Yet, true security for Judah lay not in capitulation but in God's promised deliverance, which Hezekiah championed. This tension between immediate gratification and long-term faithfulness is a recurring biblical theme.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree" is an idiom for peace, prosperity, and undisturbed domestic life. While often used positively in prophetic literature (e.g., 1 Kings 4:25, Micah 4:4), here it is twisted into a seductive lure, promising security under the oppressor's terms rather than God's protection.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of how deception works. Like Rabshakeh, the enemy of our souls often presents seemingly appealing offers that promise immediate comfort or freedom from struggle, but ultimately lead to spiritual bondage. We are called to:

  • Discern Promises: Not all promises of peace or prosperity are good. We must critically evaluate their source and ultimate cost, especially when they encourage us to disregard wise counsel or compromise our faith.
  • Trust God's Leadership: Just as Hezekiah encouraged trust in the Lord, we are called to trust in God's divine plan and the guidance He provides through His Word and faithful leaders, even when the path seems difficult (Proverbs 3:5-6).
  • Resist Immediate Gratification: The desire for immediate relief can blind us to the long-term consequences of our choices. Faith often requires enduring hardship for a greater, God-given outcome, as seen in God's miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem later in the narrative.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 4:25 (7 votes)

    And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.

  • 1 Kings 4:20 (4 votes)

    ¶ Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.

  • Zechariah 3:10 (4 votes)

    In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.

  • Proverbs 18:16 (3 votes)

    ¶ A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

  • Genesis 33:11 (2 votes)

    Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took [it].

  • Genesis 32:20 (2 votes)

    And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob [is] behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.