After Sennacherib king of Assyria invaded Judah, King Hezekiah prepared Jerusalem's defenses and encouraged his people to trust in the Lord. Sennacherib's messengers blasphemed God, but Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed, and an angel of the Lord miraculously destroyed the Assyrian army, saving Jerusalem. Though Hezekiah later succumbed to pride after recovering from illness, he humbled himself, and God blessed him with great riches and honor.
After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and thought to win them for himself.
So there was gathered much people together, and they stopped all the fountains, and the brook that flowed through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
And he took courage, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, and the other wall without, and strengthened Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance.
And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the broad place at the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him; for there is a greater with us than with him:
with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is Jehovah our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem (now he was before Lachish, and all his power with him), unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,
Doth not Hezekiah persuade you, to give you over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, Jehovah our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and upon it shall ye burn incense?
Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of the lands in any wise able to deliver their land out of my hand?
Who was there among all the gods of those nations which my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of my hand?
Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you after this manner, neither believe ye him; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of my hand?
He wrote also letters, to rail on Jehovah, the God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of the lands, which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of my hand.
And they cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.
And Jehovah sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth from his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
Thus Jehovah saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side.
And many brought gifts unto Jehovah to Jerusalem, and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah; so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.
But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of Jehovah came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor: and he provided him treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of goodly vessels;
This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the ascent of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
Study Notes for 2 Chronicles 32
Verse 1
This invasion (701 BC) is a pivotal historical event, marking Assyria's attempt to subjugate all remaining western vassals, including Judah. The Chronicler emphasizes that this occurred 'after these things' (Hezekiah’s reforms), setting the stage for a test of faith.
Verse 3
Hezekiah’s tactical decision to block the external water sources (the Gihon springs) was a crucial defensive measure, depriving the massive Assyrian army of water while securing Jerusalem’s internal supply via the tunnel (v. 30).
Verse 5
Hezekiah demonstrates disciplined preparation alongside spiritual faith. The extensive fortification efforts, including repairing the Millo (a deep defensive structure in the City of David), show he was not relying on divine intervention alone.
Verse 7
Hezekiah’s address serves to rally the people by pointing their trust away from human strength. The phrase 'be strong and courageous' mirrors language used when God calls leaders (e.g., Joshua 1:9).
Verse 8
The contrast between the 'arm of flesh' (human, temporary power) and the LORD God emphasizes the theological theme of reliance on divine power versus military might. The people’s positive response indicates their trust in the king and God.
Verse 9
Sennacherib used psychological warfare, sending officials (the Rabshakeh, per 2 Kings 18) to undermine the morale of the besieged citizens of Jerusalem through loud, scornful messages.
Verse 12
The Assyrians ironically use Hezekiah’s faithful religious reform (removing high places and centralizing worship) as evidence that he has angered his own God, completely misinterpreting the nature of Yahweh's unique covenant.
Verse 17
The use of letters and public speeches demonstrates a sophisticated propaganda campaign intended to spread terror and disloyalty. The core blasphemy is treating the God of Israel as merely another defeated local deity.
Verse 20
This climactic moment emphasizes the power of intercessory prayer, uniting the king (political leader) and the prophet Isaiah (spiritual authority) in a common appeal to heaven in the face of impossible odds.
Verse 21
The miraculous destruction of the Assyrian army highlights decisive divine intervention. Sennacherib’s subsequent murder by his own sons in the temple of his god fulfilled prophetic judgment and confirmed Yahweh's superiority.
Verse 22
The Chronicler stresses that salvation came directly from the LORD, resulting not only in military security but also in international recognition of God's power (v. 23).
Verse 24
This section shifts focus to Hezekiah's personal piety and subsequent moral failure. The illness narrative (detailed in 2 Kings 20) resulted in God granting him an extension of life.
Verse 25
Hezekiah’s failure to render thanks properly led to pride ('his heart was lifted up'), a common failing of successful monarchs in the biblical narrative. This pride temporarily brought divine wrath upon the kingdom.
Verse 26
Hezekiah's humility and the corporate humbling of the people demonstrate the Chronicler's recurring theme: repentance is the key to mitigating divine judgment during the lifetime of a righteous king.
Verse 27
Following his repentance and previous faithfulness, Hezekiah received immense material blessings, which the Chronicler attributes directly to God's generosity.
Verse 30
This verse refers to the construction of Hezekiah's Tunnel, a remarkable hydraulic engineering feat that diverted the Gihon spring water safely inside the city walls, ensuring Jerusalem’s survival during sieges.
Verse 31
The visit from the Babylonian ambassadors (c. 700 BC) was a crucial divine test. God temporarily withdrew his support ('left him, to try him') to expose the king’s pride and his inclination to rely on political alliances rather than full trust in Yahweh.
Verse 33
The exceptional honor shown at his burial reflects Hezekiah's status as one of Judah's most righteous kings, whose reign was defined by religious reform and miraculous deliverance.
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