2 Kings 19:15

And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest [between] the cherubims, thou art the God, [even] thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.

And Hezekiah {H2396} prayed {H6419} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, O LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, which dwellest {H3427} between the cherubims {H3742}, thou art the God {H430}, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms {H4467} of the earth {H776}; thou hast made {H6213} heaven {H8064} and earth {H776}.

Hizkiyahu prayed as follows in the presence of ADONAI: "ADONAI God of Isra'el, who dwells above the k'ruvim! You alone are God of all the kingdoms on earth. You made heaven and earth.

And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: β€œO LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth.

And Hezekiah prayed before Jehovah, and said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, that sittest above the cherubim, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.

Commentary

2 Kings 19:15 records a pivotal moment in the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, as he faces an overwhelming threat from the Assyrian Empire. This verse captures the essence of his humble yet profound prayer, acknowledging God's supreme authority and unique power amidst national crisis.

Context

At this point, King Hezekiah and the kingdom of Judah were under severe siege by the mighty Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib. The Assyrians had already conquered many cities in Judah, and Jerusalem itself was on the brink of collapse. Sennacherib had sent blasphemous letters to Hezekiah, mocking the God of Israel and challenging His ability to deliver Jerusalem, just as other nations' gods had failed them. In response to this existential threat and direct insult to the LORD, Hezekiah sought divine intervention. His prayer, beginning in this verse, is a model of faith and trust in God's ultimate sovereignty, even when human efforts seemed futile. For the full context of this siege, see 2 Kings 18:13 onwards.

Key Themes

  • Sovereignty of God: Hezekiah's prayer immediately establishes God's unparalleled dominion. He declares, "thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth." This is a direct counter to Sennacherib's claims, affirming that the God of Israel is not merely a tribal deity but the sole, supreme ruler over all nations and their kings. This theme resonates throughout the Bible, emphasizing God's ultimate authority over all creation.
  • God's Presence ("Dwellest between the Cherubims"): This phrase refers to God's special presence above the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies, the most sacred part of the Temple. It signifies God's immanence and His active engagement with His people. For Hezekiah, recalling this specific manifestation of God's presence was an appeal to God's covenant faithfulness and His power to act from His holy dwelling place. It highlights the unique relationship God had with Israel.
  • God as Creator: The declaration, "thou hast made heaven and earth," underscores God's omnipotence and His absolute claim over all existence. By acknowledging God as the Creator, Hezekiah affirms that the One who brought all things into being is certainly capable of delivering His people from any earthly foe, regardless of their might. This foundational truth is echoed in Genesis 1:1 and numerous other scriptures.
  • Humble and Trusting Prayer: Hezekiah's approach is marked by humility and a deep trust in God's character rather than his own strength or the might of Judah's army. His prayer is a model for believers facing insurmountable odds, demonstrating the power of aligning one's perspective with God's truth.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "dwellest between the cherubims" (Hebrew: יֹשׁ֡ב הַכְּרֻבִים, yoshev ha-keruvim) literally means "enthroned upon the cherubim" or "who sits on the cherubim." This imagery is consistent with other Old Testament passages that depict God's throne or chariot being carried by cherubim, symbolizing His majestic and transcendent presence, particularly in relation to the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat. It emphasizes God's glory and His active rule from His heavenly throne, manifest on earth.

Practical Application

Hezekiah's prayer in 2 Kings 19:15 offers timeless lessons for believers today. When faced with overwhelming challenges, whether personal struggles, societal crises, or spiritual battles, our first and most effective response should be to turn to God in prayer. Like Hezekiah, we are called to acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty, His unique power as Creator, and His faithful presence. This perspective shifts our focus from the magnitude of our problems to the infinite greatness of our God, fostering faith and confidence that He alone is capable of delivering us and ruling over all circumstances. His prayer reminds us that true security is found not in human strength or political alliances, but in the omnipotent God who made heaven and earth and holds all kingdoms in His hand. This prayer ultimately led to God's miraculous intervention and deliverance of Jerusalem.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 25:22

    And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which [are] upon the ark of the testimony, of all [things] which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

  • Daniel 4:34

    ΒΆ And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom [is] from generation to generation:

  • Daniel 4:35

    And all the inhabitants of the earth [are] reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and [among] the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

  • Isaiah 44:8

    Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]? ye [are] even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any].

  • 2 Kings 5:15

    ΒΆ And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that [there is] no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.

  • Jeremiah 10:10

    But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

  • Jeremiah 10:12

    He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
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