Table of Contents
The Reign of Hezekiah
The chapter begins with the introduction of King Hezekiah, who ruled over Judah. It is recorded that he began his reign in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, and he reigned for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. Hezekiah is immediately praised in the text as a righteous king, a stark contrast to his father, Ahaz. It is written that he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his ancestor David had done. This comparison to David is the highest praise a king of Judah could receive, signifying his profound faithfulness and obedience to God. His reign marked a significant period of spiritual and political revival for the southern kingdom.
Hezekiah’s Religious Reforms
Hezekiah’s righteous character was demonstrated through a series of sweeping religious reforms. His first and most significant act was the removal of the pagan high places, which had become centers of idolatry throughout the land of Judah. It is also stated that he smashed the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made. This bronze serpent, called Nehushtan, had been preserved for centuries but had become an object of worship, with the people of Israel burning incense to it. Hezekiah’s decisive action to destroy it shows his commitment to a pure and exclusive worship of the one true God, leaving no room for syncretism or the veneration of religious artifacts.
The text emphasizes that Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. It is noted that after him, there was no king like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. This statement underscores the uniqueness of his devotion. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease following Him. His success in all his undertakings is attributed directly to his unwavering faithfulness to God. His reforms were not just political maneuvering; they were an authentic expression of his faith.
Hezekiah’s Rebellion Against Assyria
In a major political and military development, Hezekiah rebelled against the king of Assyria. The narrative explains that Judah had been a vassal state to the powerful Assyrian Empire since the time of his father, Ahaz. The decision to defy Assyria was a bold move, likely motivated by a combination of faith in God and political alliances with Egypt. Hezekiah’s trust in God seems to have given him the courage to break free from Assyrian dominion. The text records that he attacked the Philistines and defeated them, driving them back as far as Gaza and its territory. This victory demonstrates his military success and further solidified his position as a strong and independent ruler.
This rebellion, however, did not go unanswered by the Assyrians. In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, came up and attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. The Assyrian invasion was a devastating blow to Judah. Faced with the overwhelming military might of Assyria, Hezekiah initially capitulated. He sent a message to the Assyrian king at Lachish, saying, “I have done wrong; withdraw from me. Whatever you impose on me I will bear.” The Assyrian king then demanded an exorbitant tribute of three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. To pay this tribute, Hezekiah was forced to give all the silver found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the king’s house. He even stripped the gold from the doors and doorposts of the temple, which he himself had overlaid. This act, while showing his desperation, highlights the severity of the Assyrian threat.
The Assyrian Spokesman’s Challenge
Despite receiving the tribute, the king of Assyria sent his chief officials—the Tartan, the Rab-saris, and the Rabshakeh—with a large army to Jerusalem. They positioned themselves at the conduit of the upper pool, a location where a group of Hezekiah’s officials met them. The Rabshakeh, acting as the Assyrian king’s spokesman, delivered a powerful and intimidating message. He spoke in the Hebrew language, so that the people on the wall could understand him, thereby undermining the morale of the populace.
The Rabshakeh’s speech was a masterpiece of psychological warfare and propaganda. First, he mocked Hezekiah’s trust in God. He questioned the basis of Hezekiah’s confidence, sarcastically asking, “On whom do you trust that you rebel against me?” He belittled Hezekiah’s military strength and mocked his reliance on Egypt, calling it a “crushed reed.” Most significantly, the Rabshakeh directly challenged Hezekiah’s faith. He suggested that Hezekiah’s religious reforms, where he had removed the high places and altars, were an act against his own God. He blasphemously claimed that the LORD had commanded the Assyrians to destroy the land. He then used the fate of Samaria and other conquered nations as a chilling example, asserting that the gods of those nations had been powerless to save them from the Assyrian army. His message was clear: Judah’s God was no different from any other god, and He was equally powerless to stand against the might of Assyria. The Rabshakeh’s final appeal was to the people of Jerusalem themselves, urging them to surrender to Sennacherib, promising them a land of abundance in exile.
Theological Themes and Significance
The story in 2 Kings 18 is rich with theological significance. The central theme is the contrast between human arrogance and divine sovereignty. The Assyrian king, through his spokesman, represents the pinnacle of human pride and military might. He boasts of his power and scoffs at the idea that any god could stand in his way. This is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where powerful, worldly empires are seen as temporary and ultimately subservient to God’s ultimate power. The Rabshakeh’s blasphemous speech, where he equates the LORD with the false gods of other nations, is a direct challenge to the very foundation of Israelite faith.
Another key theme is the importance of righteous leadership. Hezekiah’s faithfulness stands in stark contrast to the wickedness of his predecessors, such as Ahaz. His reforms were a direct action of faith and a demonstration of his trust in God. The peace and prosperity of his early reign were a direct result of his obedience. The narrative shows that a king’s spiritual condition has a direct impact on the well-being of the nation. Hezekiah’s righteousness was not a passive state but was expressed through courageous actions.
Finally, the chapter highlights the power of faith and reliance on God. Faced with an overwhelming and terrifying threat, Hezekiah is seen as turning to God. This is the pivotal moment of the narrative. While his initial reaction was to capitulate and pay tribute, the Rabshakeh’s blasphemous words pushed him back to a place of complete reliance on the LORD. The events that follow in the next chapter will show that prayer and trust in God’s promises are more powerful than any army. The Rabshakeh’s attempt to demoralize the people of God with fear and doubt is ultimately a failure.
Practical Lessons for Today
The account of Hezekiah and the Assyrian invasion holds timeless lessons for believers. The story teaches us about the importance of standing firm in our faith even when it is ridiculed or challenged. The Rabshakeh’s words were a direct attack on Hezekiah’s trust in God. In our own lives, our faith may be mocked by others who trust only in worldly power, wealth, or human ingenuity. The example of Hezekiah teaches us to not be moved by such challenges but to remain steadfast in our confidence in God.
Furthermore, the chapter is a powerful reminder that spiritual cleansing is a necessary and ongoing process. Hezekiah’s reforms, which included destroying the bronze serpent that had once been a symbol of God’s power but had become an idol, remind us to regularly examine our own lives. We must be willing to remove anything that has become an idol, even if it has a seemingly good or historical connection to our faith. We are called to exclusive worship of God alone.
Finally, the narrative provides a powerful illustration of the truth that human power is limited, but God’s power is limitless. The mighty Assyrian Empire, which had conquered countless nations, was nothing in the face of God’s command. This reminds us to not be intimidated by worldly forces, problems, or opponents. Our ultimate trust must be placed in God, who is sovereign over all nations and all circumstances.
Cross References
2 Chronicles 29-32: This parallel account provides a more detailed and chronologically distinct narrative of Hezekiah’s reign. It offers a fuller picture of his reforms, the cleansing of the temple, the revival of the Passover feast, and his reliance on God during the Assyrian invasion. The Chronicler’s perspective emphasizes the spiritual nature of the events and the direct link between Hezekiah’s righteousness and Judah’s deliverance.
Isaiah 36-39: These chapters in the book of Isaiah provide another parallel account of the Assyrian invasion, often verbatim to the account in 2 Kings 18-19. They contain a detailed record of the Rabshakeh’s speech and Hezekiah’s response. The prophecies of Isaiah during this period are a central part of the story, showing how God was actively speaking to His people through His prophet. Isaiah’s counsel to Hezekiah to not fear is a key element that highlights the divine perspective on the conflict.
Micah 3:11-12: The prophet Micah, a contemporary of Hezekiah, prophesied that because the leaders of Judah were corrupt, Jerusalem would be destroyed. The fact that this prophecy was not fulfilled in Hezekiah’s time is attributed to the king’s righteous reign and his turning to the LORD in repentance. The Assyrian invasion was a grave threat, but Judah was spared because of Hezekiah’s faithful leadership. This adds another layer of theological significance to his reign.
Proverbs 29:25: This proverb states, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.” This proverb perfectly captures the essence of Hezekiah’s story. His initial act of capitulation to Sennacherib, driven by fear, led him to strip the temple of its treasures. His later choice to fully trust in the LORD and not be swayed by the Rabshakeh’s threats led to his deliverance.
Exodus 17:8-16: The story of the battle with the Amalekites illustrates the principle that victory is achieved not by military might alone but by prayer and trust in God. Moses raising his hands in prayer was key to the Israelites’ success. This echoes the situation in 2 Kings 18, where Jerusalem’s deliverance is ultimately secured not by its fortifications or soldiers but by Hezekiah’s fervent prayer and God’s intervention.
John 3:14-15: Jesus’ reference to the bronze serpent in John 3:14-15 provides a New Testament interpretation of the event mentioned in 2 Kings 18. Just as the bronze serpent was lifted up so that the Israelites could be healed from the snakebites, so too was the Son of Man to be lifted up so that those who believe in Him might have eternal life. Hezekiah’s destruction of the serpent as an idol shows that even a divinely ordained object can become a barrier to faith, a lesson that Jesus transforms by pointing to a spiritual reality.