2 Kings 19:20

KJV

¶ Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, [That] which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Isaiah {H3470} the son {H1121} of Amoz {H531} sent {H7971} to Hezekiah {H2396}, saying {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, That which thou hast prayed {H6419} to me against Sennacherib {H5576} king {H4428} of Assyria {H804} I have heard {H8085}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Yesha'yahu the son of Amotz sent this message to Hizkiyahu: "ADONAI the God of Isra'el says: 'You prayed to me against Sancheriv king of Ashur, and I have heard you.'

Berean Standard Bible

Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria.

American Standard Version

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of King Hezekiah's reign, delivering God's direct, affirmative response to Hezekiah's desperate prayer amidst the existential threat posed by Sennacherib, King of Assyria. Through the prophet Isaiah, the LORD God of Israel unequivocally declares that He has heard Hezekiah's petition against the blasphemous and arrogant Assyrian king, signaling divine intervention and impending deliverance for Judah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows King Hezekiah's profound and desperate prayer in [2 Kings 19:15-19](/2_kings/19-15 "2 Kings 19:15-19 - Hezekiah's Prayer for Deliverance"). Having received a second, more direct and blasphemous letter from Sennacherib, Hezekiah took it into the temple, spread it before the LORD, and appealed to God's sovereignty and honor. His prayer was not merely for Judah's deliverance but, more significantly, for God's name to be glorified among the nations, demonstrating that the God of Israel was the only true God. Verse 20 is God's swift and direct answer to this specific prayer, delivered through His prophet Isaiah, confirming that He has indeed heard and will act. This divine assurance sets the stage for the miraculous deliverance that follows, detailed in [2 Kings 19:35-37](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35-37 - The Angel of the LORD Strikes the Assyrian Camp"), where the Assyrian army is decimated, and Sennacherib is forced to retreat.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The late 8th century BCE was a period of immense geopolitical upheaval in the Ancient Near East, dominated by the expansionist Assyrian Empire. Under Sennacherib, Assyria had become the preeminent power, known for its brutal military campaigns, siege warfare, and policy of mass deportation. By 701 BCE, Sennacherib had already conquered numerous fortified cities in Judah, including Lachish, and Jerusalem was the last major stronghold. The Assyrian strategy involved psychological warfare, as evidenced by the Rabshakeh's taunts (cf. [2 Kings 18:17-35](/2_kings/18-17 "2 Kings 18:17-35 - The Rabshakeh's Taunts")), aimed at undermining the morale of the besieged. Hezekiah's actions—tearing his clothes, wearing sackcloth, and going to the temple—were culturally recognized expressions of deep distress, humility, and repentance, typical responses when facing overwhelming national calamity and seeking divine intervention. The act of spreading Sennacherib's letter before the LORD was a powerful symbolic gesture, laying the enemy's challenge directly before God, acknowledging His ultimate authority over all earthly powers.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reinforces several core themes prevalent throughout the books of Kings and the prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **God's responsiveness to prayer**, particularly when His people humble themselves and seek His face, as seen in Hezekiah's heartfelt plea. It underscores the **sovereignty of Yahweh** over all earthly rulers and empires, demonstrating that even the most formidable human might is subject to His divine will. The narrative also highlights the crucial **role of the prophet** as God's chosen mouthpiece, through whom divine messages of judgment, comfort, and deliverance are communicated. Furthermore, Hezekiah's exemplary **faith and dependence on God** in the face of insurmountable odds serves as a model, contrasting sharply with the reliance on human alliances or military strength that often characterized other kings of Judah and Israel (cf. [2 Kings 18:5-7](/2_kings/18-5 "2 Kings 18:5-7 - Hezekiah's Trust in the LORD")). The entire episode, culminating in God's declaration in [2 Kings 19:20](/2_kings/19-20 "2 Kings 19:20 - God Hears Hezekiah's Prayer"), powerfully illustrates God's unwavering commitment to protect His covenant people and uphold His own glory.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heard (Hebrew, _šāmaʿtî'_):** This is the first person singular perfect form of the verb שָׁמַע (_šāmaʿ_), meaning "to hear," "to listen," "to understand," or "to obey." In this context, the perfect tense indicates a completed action with ongoing results, emphasizing God's immediate and decisive reception of Hezekiah's prayer. More than just passively perceiving sound, _šāmaʿtî_ here implies an active, attentive hearing that carries with it the intent to respond and act. It signifies divine acknowledgment, validation of the prayer, and the promise of impending intervention, standing in stark contrast to the "ears that hear not" of the idols Hezekiah mentioned in his prayer (cf. [Psalm 115:6](/psalms/115-6 "Psalm 115:6 - Idols Have Ears But Hear Not")).
* **LORD God of Israel (Hebrew, _YHWH ʾĔlōhê Yiśrāʾēl'_):** This composite divine title emphasizes both God's covenant name (YHWH, the personal, revealed name of God, signifying His faithfulness and self-existence) and His specific relationship as the God of the nation of Israel. By using this title, God underscores His unique covenant bond with His people and asserts His supreme authority over them and, by extension, over all nations, including the mighty Assyrian Empire. It is a declaration of His identity as the sovereign and active deity who intervenes on behalf of His chosen people, directly challenging Sennacherib's blasphemous claims that the gods of other nations were powerless against him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying":** This clause establishes the divine channel of communication. Isaiah, God's prophet, acts as the intermediary, delivering the LORD's direct response to the king. This highlights the crucial role of prophetic intercession and revelation in ancient Israel, where God communicated His will and intentions through His chosen messengers.
* **"Thus saith the LORD God of Israel":** This is a classic prophetic formula, lending absolute authority and divine weight to the message that follows. It signifies that the words are not Isaiah's own but a direct, authoritative utterance from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This declaration immediately elevates the subsequent statement from a human opinion to an infallible divine decree.
* **"[That] which thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard":** This is the core of the divine message, directly affirming God's attentiveness and responsiveness to Hezekiah's specific prayer. The phrase "against Sennacherib king of Assyria" explicitly links God's hearing to the immediate crisis and the blasphemous threats of the enemy. The emphatic "I have heard" (Hebrew: _šāmaʿtî_) assures Hezekiah that his earnest and faith-filled petition has not only been received but acknowledged with a view toward decisive action, setting the stage for the miraculous deliverance to come.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that amplify its impact. **Direct address** is central, as God speaks directly to Hezekiah through Isaiah, creating an immediate and personal connection despite the gravity of the national crisis. The use of **prophetic formula** ("Thus saith the LORD God of Israel") lends immense authority and gravitas, transforming the message from a mere statement into a divine oracle, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty. There is also a subtle **contrast** implied: while Sennacherib's letter was filled with human bluster and idolatrous taunts, God's response is concise, powerful, and utterly decisive, demonstrating the infinite gap between human arrogance and divine omnipotence. The phrase "I have heard" functions as a form of **divine assurance**, providing comfort and hope in a moment of despair, and serving as a **foreshadowing** of the miraculous intervention that will soon follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Kings 19:20 stands as a profound testament to the active, personal, and sovereign nature of God. It affirms that the Creator of the universe is not a distant, indifferent deity but one who intimately engages with the affairs of humanity, particularly in response to the humble and earnest prayers of His people. This verse underscores the foundational biblical truth that God hears prayer, not merely as an act of passive reception, but as an active acknowledgment that leads to divine intervention. It highlights the principle that when human strength and resources fail, and when God's honor is challenged, He is moved to act decisively on behalf of those who trust in Him. This immediate divine response to Hezekiah's prayer serves as a powerful demonstration of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His absolute supremacy over all earthly powers and false gods.

* [Psalm 65:2](/psalms/65-2 "Psalm 65:2 - O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come.")
* [Isaiah 37:21](/isaiah/37-21 "Isaiah 37:21 - Isaiah's Prophecy to Hezekiah")
* [Jeremiah 33:3](/jeremiah/33-3 "Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to Me and I will answer you")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine declaration in 2 Kings 19:20 offers immense encouragement and a timeless lesson for believers facing overwhelming circumstances. Like Hezekiah, we often encounter situations that appear insurmountable, whether personal crises, national challenges, or spiritual battles. This verse reminds us that our first and most potent recourse is not human strategy or despair, but humble, fervent prayer directed to the living God. Hezekiah's prayer was not only for deliverance but for God's name to be glorified, demonstrating a focus beyond self-preservation. When our prayers align with God's glory and His sovereign purposes, we can have confidence that He hears and will respond in His perfect timing and according to His perfect will. This passage calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's omnipotence, knowing that no threat, no matter how formidable, is beyond His capacity to overcome. It invites us to bring our anxieties, fears, and even the blasphemies of the world before the LORD, assured that He is actively engaged and powerfully able to deliver.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently facing an "Assyrian threat" that seems overwhelming?**
* **How does Hezekiah's response—spreading the letter before the LORD and praying—challenge your typical reactions to crisis?**
* **What does God's immediate response "I have heard" teach you about the nature of His attentiveness to your prayers?**
* **How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty when circumstances seem beyond your control?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of Hezekiah spreading Sennacherib's letter before the LORD?**

Answer: Hezekiah's act of spreading Sennacherib's blasphemous letter before the LORD in the temple (as described in [2 Kings 19:14](/2_kings/19-14 "2 Kings 19:14 - Hezekiah Spreads the Letter Before the LORD")) was a profound act of faith and humility. It was a symbolic gesture, laying the enemy's challenge directly before God Himself. By doing so, Hezekiah was not merely informing God of the threat; he was acknowledging God's ultimate sovereignty and inviting Him to intervene on His own behalf, as Sennacherib's taunts were directed not just at Judah but at the LORD God of Israel. It was an appeal to God's honor and power, effectively saying, "This is Your battle, LORD, and Your name is being defamed. Only You can deliver us and demonstrate Your unique glory among the nations." This act demonstrated Hezekiah's complete dependence on God rather than on military might or political alliances, setting the stage for God's miraculous response.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine assurance in [2 Kings 19:20](/2_kings/19-20 "2 Kings 19:20 - God Hears Hezekiah's Prayer") finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the LORD heard Hezekiah's prayer and intervened decisively against a seemingly invincible earthly foe, so too does God, through Christ, hear the cries of His people against the ultimate enemies of sin, death, and the devil. Jesus Himself is the perfect embodiment of God's attentive ear and powerful arm, demonstrating divine sovereignty over all hostile forces. He is the one through whom God's promises of deliverance are fully realized, not merely from physical armies but from spiritual bondage. The [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfills the prophetic role of Isaiah, being the ultimate messenger and embodiment of God's Word. Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Christ has decisively defeated the powers of darkness, ensuring that the prayers of His redeemed are always heard and answered in accordance with God's perfect will. Believers now approach the Father with confidence, not through a prophet in a temple, but directly through the [High Priest who intercedes for us](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus, Our Interceding High Priest") and through the [Spirit who helps us in our weakness](/romans/8-26 "Romans 8:26 - The Spirit Intercedes for Us"). Thus, the "I have heard" of 2 Kings 19:20 echoes in the New Covenant as the constant assurance that in Christ, we have bold access to the throne of grace, where God always hears and always acts for the glory of His name and the good of His people (cf. [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")).

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.