2 Kings 19:2

And he sent Eliakim, which [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

And he sent {H7971} Eliakim {H471}, which was over the household {H1004}, and Shebna {H7644} the scribe {H5608}, and the elders {H2205} of the priests {H3548}, covered {H3680} with sackcloth {H8242}, to Isaiah {H3470} the prophet {H5030} the son {H1121} of Amoz {H531}.

He sent Elyakim, who was in charge of the household, Shevnah the general secretary and the leading cohanim, covered with sackcloth, to Yesha'yahu the prophet, the son of Amotz.

And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz

And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

Commentary

2 Kings 19:2 describes King Hezekiah's immediate and humble response to the overwhelming threat posed by the Assyrian army under King Sennacherib. Having just received a blasphemous and intimidating message from the Assyrian general, Rabshakeh, Hezekiah tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth, signifying deep distress and reliance on God.

Context

This verse is set during a dire period in Judah's history, specifically during the Assyrian invasion of Judah (circa 701 BC). King Hezekiah had received a defiant and blasphemous message from Sennacherib, designed to break the morale of Jerusalem's inhabitants and undermine their trust in God. Instead of resorting to purely military or political strategies, Hezekiah's first action was to seek divine counsel. He dispatched his highest officials, Eliakim (steward of the household) and Shebna (the scribe), along with the elders of the priests, to Isaiah the prophet. Their attire of sackcloth underscored the gravity of the situation and their collective posture of humility and repentance before God.

Key Themes

  • Humility in Crisis: The act of wearing sackcloth by such high-ranking officials and priests, initiated by the king himself (2 Kings 19:1), demonstrates a profound sense of national humility and lament before God. It signals a recognition of their inability to overcome the threat on their own.
  • Seeking Divine Wisdom: Hezekiah's decision to consult Isaiah highlights his profound trust in God's ability to intervene and provide guidance through His chosen prophet. This contrasts sharply with reliance on human strength or political maneuvering alone.
  • The Role of the Prophet: Isaiah serves as God's mouthpiece, providing the divine response and assurance that would ultimately lead to Judah's miraculous deliverance (2 Kings 19:35).

Linguistic Insights

The term "sackcloth" (Hebrew: saq) was a coarse material, often made of goat hair, worn as a symbol of mourning, distress, repentance, and humility in the ancient Near East. Its use here by the king's most prominent officials and religious leaders emphasizes the depth of their national crisis and their desperate plea for divine mercy. This practice is seen in various biblical accounts, such as the king of Nineveh's response to Jonah's prophecy.

Practical Application

This verse offers a timeless lesson for believers facing overwhelming challenges. When confronted with seemingly insurmountable problems, our first recourse should be to humble ourselves before God and seek His wisdom and intervention. Like Hezekiah, we are called to prioritize spiritual reliance over worldly solutions, trusting that God can and will act on behalf of those who sincerely seek Him. It reminds us that even in the darkest moments, hope is found in turning to the Lord and His revealed word.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 1:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

  • Isaiah 2:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

  • 2 Kings 22:13 (2 votes)

    Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great [is] the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.

  • 2 Kings 22:14 (2 votes)

    So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:22 (2 votes)

    Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.

  • Isaiah 37:2 (2 votes)

    And he sent Eliakim, who [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

  • Isaiah 37:5 (2 votes)

    So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.