2 Kings 19:34

For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

For I will defend {H1598} this city {H5892}, to save {H3467} it, for mine own sake, and for my servant {H5650} David's {H1732} sake.

'For I will defend this city and save it, both for my own sake and for my servant David's sake.'"

โ€˜I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.โ€™โ€

For I will defend this city to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant Davidโ€™s sake.

Commentary

2 Kings 19:34 (KJV) delivers a powerful declaration from God, spoken through the prophet Isaiah to King Hezekiah, assuring the divine protection of Jerusalem against the formidable Assyrian army.

Context

This verse is a direct word from the Lord during a dire moment for the Kingdom of Judah. King Hezekiah and Jerusalem were under siege by the massive Assyrian army led by Sennacherib, who had already conquered many cities and mocked Judah's God. Hezekiah, after receiving a blasphemous letter from Sennacherib, sought the Lord in prayer and sent for the prophet Isaiah. God's response, given in 2 Kings 19:32-33, promises Sennacherib's retreat and failure, culminating in this verse's emphatic assurance of Jerusalem's safety.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection: The verse highlights God's active and unwavering commitment to defend His people and His holy city. It's a testament to His power over earthly empires.
  • God's Sovereignty and Glory: The phrase "for mine own sake" emphasizes that God's primary motivation is His own character, His reputation, and His glory. He acts not merely for human benefit, but because it aligns with who He is as the sovereign Lord.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: "and for my servant David's sake" underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to the covenant He made with David. This covenant promised an eternal dynasty and a secure kingdom, and God's defense of Jerusalem was a fulfillment of that promise, demonstrating His loyalty to His word.
  • Answered Prayer: This divine promise comes directly in response to King Hezekiah's humble and fervent prayer (2 Kings 19:15-19), showcasing the power of seeking God in times of crisis.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "defend" here is ganan (ื’ึธึผื ึทืŸ), which means "to surround, to protect, to cover." It implies an active, encircling guardianship. The word for "save" is yasha (ื™ึธืฉึทืืข), meaning "to deliver, to rescue, to bring salvation." Both terms powerfully convey God's direct and complete intervention.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • God is a Defender: In overwhelming circumstances, when human strength or strategies fail, we can trust in God's ability to protect and deliver. He is our refuge (Psalm 46:1).
  • God's Promises Are Sure: Just as God was faithful to His covenant with David, He remains faithful to His promises to us through Christ. His character is unchanging.
  • Prayer Matters: Hezekiah's example shows that earnest prayer can move the hand of God, even in seemingly impossible situations.
  • God's Glory is Paramount: Ultimately, God acts for His own glory and to uphold His holy name. This perspective can help us align our desires with His, trusting that His ultimate plan is always for His perfect purposes.

The miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem, as recorded in 2 Kings 19:35 and Isaiah 37:36, stands as a powerful historical testament to the truth of this divine promise.

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

  • 1 Kings 11:12

    Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: [but] I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

  • 1 Kings 11:13

    Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; [but] will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

  • 2 Kings 20:6

    And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

  • 1 Kings 15:4

    Nevertheless for David's sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:

  • Isaiah 31:5

    As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver [it; and] passing over he will preserve it.

  • Jeremiah 33:26

    Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, [so] that I will not take [any] of his seed [to be] rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.

  • Jeremiah 33:21

    [Then] may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.
โ† Back