2 Chronicles32

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.

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Sennacherib Invades Judah

After all these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, intending to conquer them for himself.

When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come to make war against Jerusalem,

he consulted with his leaders and commanders about stopping up the waters of the springs outside the city, and they helped him carry it out.

Many people assembled and stopped up all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land. “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find plenty of water?” they said.

Then Hezekiah worked resolutely to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and to raise up towers on it. He also built an outer wall and reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David, and he produced an abundance of weapons and shields.

Hezekiah appointed military commanders over the people and gathered the people in the square of the city gate. Then he encouraged them, saying,

“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him.

With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Sennacherib Mocks Yahweh

Later, as Sennacherib king of Assyria and all his forces besieged Lachish, he sent his servants to Jerusalem with a message for King Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem:

“This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: What is the basis of your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege?

Is not Hezekiah misleading you to give you over to death by famine and thirst when he says, ‘The LORD our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria?’

Did not Hezekiah himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn sacrifices’?

Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Have the gods of these nations ever been able to deliver their land from my hand?

Who among all the gods of these nations that my fathers devoted to destruction has been able to deliver his people from my hand? How then can your God deliver you from my hand?

So now, do not let Hezekiah deceive you, and do not let him mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you from my hand!”

And the servants of Sennacherib spoke further against the LORD God and against His servant Hezekiah.

He also wrote letters mocking the LORD, the God of Israel, and saying against Him: “Just as the gods of the nations did not deliver their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my hand.”

Then the Assyrians called out loudly in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them in order to capture the city.

They spoke against the God of Jerusalem as they had spoken against the gods of the peoples of the earth—the work of human hands.

God Delivers Jerusalem

In response, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out to heaven in prayer,

and the LORD sent an angel who annihilated every mighty man of valor and every leader and commander in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons struck him down with the sword.

So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hands of King Sennacherib of Assyria and all the others, and He gave them rest on every side.

Many brought offerings to Jerusalem for the LORD and valuable gifts for Hezekiah king of Judah, and from then on he was exalted in the eyes of all nations.

Hezekiah’s Illness and Pride

In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. So he prayed to the LORD, who spoke to him and gave him a sign.

But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

Then Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart—he and the people of Jerusalem—so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them during the days of Hezekiah.

Summary of Wealth and Works

Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields, and all kinds of valuable articles.

He also made storehouses for the harvest of grain and new wine and oil, stalls for all kinds of livestock, and pens for the flocks.

He made cities for himself, and he acquired herds of sheep and cattle in abundance, for God gave him very great wealth.

It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Spring of Gihon and channeled it down to the west side of the City of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all that he did.

And so when ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon were sent to him to inquire about the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone to test him, that He might know all that was in Hezekiah’s heart.

As for the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his deeds of loving devotion, they are indeed written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

Death of Hezekiah

And Hezekiah rested with his fathers and was buried in the upper tombs of David’s descendants. All Judah and the people of Jerusalem paid him honor at his death. And his son Manasseh reigned in his place.

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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2 Chronicles32

Sennacherib Invades Judah

Sennacherib Mocks Yahweh

God Delivers Jerusalem

Hezekiah’s Illness and Pride

Summary of Wealth and Works

Death of Hezekiah

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