2 Kings 19:9

And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying,

And when he heard {H8085} say {H559} of Tirhakah {H8640} king {H4428} of Ethiopia {H3568}, Behold, he is come out {H3318} to fight {H3898} against thee: he sent {H7971} messengers {H4397} again {H7725} unto Hezekiah {H2396}, saying {H559},

Then, on hearing it said that Tirhakah king of Ethiopia was on his way to fight him, the king of Ashur sent messengers to Hizkiyahu, telling them,

Now Sennacherib had been warned about Tirhakah king of Cush: “Look, he has set out to fight against you.” So Sennacherib again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee, he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying,

Commentary

2 Kings 19:9 marks a pivotal moment in the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah. This verse describes a new development that interrupts the Assyrian King Sennacherib's relentless pressure on Judah, introducing a new player onto the geopolitical stage.

Context

Prior to this verse, King Sennacherib of Assyria had already conquered many fortified cities of Judah and was threatening Jerusalem. He had sent his Rabshakeh to deliver a blasphemous and intimidating message to King Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem, urging them to surrender and not to trust in the Lord (2 Kings 18:17-37). Hezekiah, in response, turned to the prophet Isaiah for divine counsel and prayer (2 Kings 19:1-7). Just as Sennacherib was poised to deliver a final blow, news arrived that shifted his immediate attention.

Key Themes

  • Divine Intervention in World Affairs: The arrival of Tirhakah, though seemingly a military coincidence, is often seen as part of God's sovereign plan to deliver Jerusalem. This external threat to Assyria creates a strategic diversion, buying time for Judah and preparing for the miraculous intervention that follows.
  • Sennacherib's Strategic Dilemma: The news of Tirhakah's advance forces Sennacherib to divide his attention and potentially his forces. His immediate reaction is to send another, perhaps even more urgent and threatening, message to Hezekiah, attempting to secure Jerusalem's surrender before he has to fully engage with Tirhakah.
  • The Sovereignty of God: Even amidst overwhelming military might and human strategy, this verse subtly highlights how God works through seemingly natural events to achieve His purposes and protect His people. The news of Tirhakah's approach serves as a catalyst for the dramatic conclusion of the siege.

Linguistic Insights

The name Tirhakah (or Taharqa in Egyptian records) refers to a historical Kushite (Ethiopian) king who ruled Egypt and Nubia. His appearance in the biblical narrative here aligns with historical accounts of Assyrian campaigns in the region, lending historical authenticity to the biblical record. The term "Ethiopia" here refers to the ancient kingdom of Cush, located south of Egypt.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that even when facing overwhelming odds and seemingly insurmountable threats, God can introduce unexpected circumstances or "diversions" that alter the course of events. For believers, it reinforces the principle that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. We are called to trust in His providence, even when the path to deliverance is not immediately clear, just as Hezekiah trusted in the Lord amidst Sennacherib's threats.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 23:27

    But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.

  • Isaiah 37:9

    And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come forth to make war with thee. And when he heard [it], he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

  • 2 Kings 18:17

    ¶ And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which [is] in the highway of the fuller's field.
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