2 Kings 18:7

KJV

And the LORD was with him; [and] he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} was with him; and he prospered {H7919} whithersoever he went forth {H3318}: and he rebelled {H4775} against the king {H4428} of Assyria {H804}, and served {H5647} him not.

Complete Jewish Bible

So ADONAI was with him. Wherever he went out to battle, he did well. He rebelled against the king of Ashur and refused to be his vassal.

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD was with Hezekiah, and he prospered wherever he went. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to serve him.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah was with him; whithersoever he went forth he prospered: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 18:7 encapsulates the early success of King Hezekiah of Judah, attributing his comprehensive prosperity directly to the active presence of the LORD. This divine favor empowered Hezekiah to undertake a bold and pivotal act of defiance: rebelling against the formidable Assyrian Empire and refusing to continue serving its king. This verse thus establishes Hezekiah's reign as one marked by divine blessing and courageous faithfulness, setting the stage for significant national and spiritual developments.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears early in the account of Hezekiah's reign, immediately following a summary of his righteous character and reforms (2 Kings 18:3-6), which explicitly state that "he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done." His actions stand in stark contrast to his idolatrous father, Ahaz (2 Kings 16), who had subjected Judah to Assyria. The statement in 2 Kings 18:7 serves as a foundational explanation for Hezekiah's ability to initiate and sustain these reforms, and it foreshadows the major confrontation with Assyria that dominates the latter part of the chapter and chapter 19. It is a summary statement of the divine empowerment behind his initial success before the ultimate test of his faith.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Hezekiah's ascension (c. 715 BC), the Neo-Assyrian Empire was the dominant superpower in the ancient Near East, having already conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 17:6) and reduced many surrounding nations, including Judah, to vassal states. Vassalage involved paying heavy tribute, providing military support, and often adopting Assyrian religious practices or acknowledging Assyrian deities. To "rebel" against Assyria was an act of extreme political and military risk, typically met with swift and brutal retaliation, as seen in Assyrian annals describing their campaigns. Hezekiah's decision was therefore not merely a political maneuver but a profound theological statement, rejecting the suzerainty of a pagan empire in favor of absolute allegiance to the LORD, the God of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** The verse highlights several crucial themes. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Presence and Blessing**, emphasizing that God's active presence with His faithful servants is the ultimate source of true prosperity and success, echoing similar promises found in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses") for obedience. It also underscores the theme of **Faithful Leadership** and **Covenant Loyalty**, as Hezekiah's reforms and rebellion demonstrate a commitment to the covenant with God, even when it meant defying overwhelming human power. This act of "rebellion" is portrayed positively as an act of **Trust in God over Human Might**, setting the stage for the dramatic deliverance from Sennacherib's siege, where God's power is undeniably displayed over the might of Assyria, as recounted in [2 Kings 19](/2_kings/19 "2 Kings 19 - Sennacherib's Defeat").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"was with him" (Hebrew, _hayah 'im'_):** This phrase denotes an active, supportive, and empowering presence, not merely proximity. It signifies God's favor, protection, and active involvement in Hezekiah's affairs. In biblical narrative, it is a hallmark of those whom God has chosen and equipped for a specific purpose, implying a covenantal relationship and divine endorsement.
* **"prospered" (Hebrew, _tsalach'_):** This verb conveys the idea of moving forward, being successful, achieving one's purpose, or being effective in one's endeavors. It often carries the connotation of divinely-enabled success, indicating that Hezekiah's achievements were not solely due to his own skill or might, but were facilitated and blessed by God.
* **"rebelled" (Hebrew, _marad'_):** While "rebelled" typically implies insubordination or disloyalty, in this specific context, it is presented as a positive act. It signifies Hezekiah's breaking away from an ungodly allegiance and renouncing the vassalage to Assyria. This "rebellion" is framed as an act of faithfulness to the LORD, prioritizing divine sovereignty over human political expediency.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD was with him;":** This opening clause establishes the foundational cause for all of Hezekiah's subsequent success and bold actions. It is a theological statement asserting that God's active presence and favor were the primary drivers of his reign. This divine presence is the ultimate source of his strength and wisdom.
* **"he prospered whithersoever he went forth:":** This clause describes the comprehensive and tangible result of God's presence. Hezekiah experienced success in all his undertakings, whether military, administrative, or reformatory. This prosperity was not accidental but a direct manifestation of God's blessing and approval of his righteous leadership.
* **"and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.":** This final clause highlights the most audacious and defining act of Hezekiah's early reign. It was a conscious, deliberate decision to break Judah's subservient relationship with the most powerful empire of the day. This "rebellion" was an act of profound faith, demonstrating Hezekiah's trust in the LORD to deliver his people, rather than relying on human alliances or continuing a humiliating and spiritually compromising vassalage.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Causality** by establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship: God's presence ("the LORD was with him") directly leads to Hezekiah's prosperity, which in turn emboldens him to "rebel against the king of Assyria." This structure emphasizes divine agency as the ultimate source of Hezekiah's strength and success. Furthermore, **Juxtaposition** is evident in the contrast between the divine enablement ("the LORD was with him") and the humanly perilous act of defiance ("rebelled against the king of Assyria"). This highlights the miraculous nature of Hezekiah's courage and the power of God to empower His servants against overwhelming odds. Finally, the verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation with Sennacherib's Assyrian army in the subsequent chapters, where God's miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem will vindicate Hezekiah's act of faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The core theological message of 2 Kings 18:7 is that true prosperity and courage flow from the active presence and favor of the LORD. Hezekiah's success was not a result of his own cunning or military might, but a direct consequence of God being "with him." This divine enablement empowered him to make a radical choice: to prioritize allegiance to the one true God over the demands of a human empire, even one as formidable as Assyria. This illustrates a profound biblical principle: faithfulness to God may necessitate defiance of worldly powers and systems that oppose His will, trusting that His power is greater than any earthly force.

* [Genesis 39:2](/genesis/39-2 "Genesis 39:2 - The LORD was with Joseph")
* [Joshua 1:7-8](/joshua/1-7 "Joshua 1:7-8 - Prosperity through obedience to the Law")
* [Romans 8:31](/romans/8-31 "Romans 8:31 - God is for us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Second Kings 18:7 offers a powerful blueprint for believers today, reminding us that our ultimate strength, success, and courage are rooted in the active presence of God in our lives. Just as Hezekiah's prosperity stemmed from the LORD being "with him," our spiritual flourishing and effectiveness in God's kingdom depend entirely on our communion with Him. This verse challenges us to consider what "prosperity" truly means in a biblical sense—not necessarily material wealth, but a life marked by divine favor, purpose, and the ability to fulfill God's calling. It also calls us to courageous faithfulness, urging us to identify and "rebel" against the "Assyrias" of our modern world—whether they be cultural pressures, ungodly ideologies, systemic injustices, or personal temptations—that demand our allegiance away from God. Hezekiah's example encourages us to prioritize our covenant relationship with God above all else, trusting in His power to sustain and deliver us, even when the odds seem overwhelmingly against us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you most need to experience the active presence of the LORD, and how can you cultivate that awareness?**
* **What "Assyrias" (overwhelming pressures or ungodly systems) might God be calling you to "rebel" against in your life today, prioritizing your allegiance to Him?**
* **How does your understanding of "prosperity" align with the biblical concept of God's blessing, which Hezekiah experienced?**

### FAQ
**Was Hezekiah's rebellion against Assyria a wise political move?**

Answer: From a purely human political and military standpoint, Hezekiah's rebellion was an incredibly risky, even reckless, decision. Assyria was the undisputed superpower of the ancient Near East, known for its brutal efficiency in crushing revolts. However, the biblical narrative frames this act not as a political gamble, but as a profound act of faith. It was "wise" in God's economy because it demonstrated Hezekiah's complete trust in the LORD to deliver Judah, rather than relying on human alliances or continuing a compromising subservience. This act of faith ultimately set the stage for God's miraculous intervention and the deliverance of Jerusalem from Sennacherib's siege, as vividly recounted in [2 Kings 19](/2_kings/19 "2 Kings 19 - Sennacherib's Defeat").

**What does "the LORD was with him" mean for believers today?**

Answer: "The LORD was with him" signifies God's active, empowering, and protective presence. For believers today, this echoes the profound truth of God's abiding presence through Christ and the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised His disciples, "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Promise to be with us")). Furthermore, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit means that God's power and presence are at work within every believer, enabling us to live righteously, overcome temptation, and fulfill His purposes ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16 "John 14:16-16 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")). It means we are never alone in our struggles, and God's favor and strength are available to us as we walk in obedience and faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hezekiah's experience in 2 Kings 18:7, particularly the declaration that "the LORD was with him" and his subsequent "rebellion" against an oppressive empire, powerfully foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate King with whom the Father was always perfectly present, as He Himself declared, "I am not alone, for the Father is with me" ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - The Father is with Me")). His "prosperity" was not worldly dominion but the spiritual triumph over sin, death, and the powers of darkness, achieving ultimate victory on the cross, disarming principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph over Principalities")). More profoundly, Christ is the One who truly "rebelled" against the ultimate oppressive king—Satan—and refused to serve the dominion of sin and death. Through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, Jesus broke the yoke of spiritual bondage, delivering humanity from the tyrannical reign of sin and opening the way to true freedom ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory over Death")). As believers united with Christ, we are called to participate in this spiritual rebellion, empowered by His presence to defy the world, the flesh, and the devil, living as those who are "dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 6:11](/romans/6-11 "Romans 6:11 - Dead to Sin, Alive to God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 16:7

So Ahaz sent messengers to Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, saying, I [am] thy servant and thy son: come up, and save me out of the hand of the king of Syria, and out of the hand of the king of Israel, which rise up against me.

Psalms 60:12

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he [it is that] shall tread down our enemies.

Romans 8:31

¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

Genesis 39:2

And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

Genesis 39:3

And his master saw that the LORD [was] with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

Matthew 28:20

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

1 Samuel 18:14

And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD [was] with him.