2 Chronicles 32

1 After these things, and this faithfulness, Sancheriv king of Ashshur came, and entered into Yehudah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and thought to win them for himself.
2 When Hizkiyahu saw that Sancheriv was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Yerushalayim,
3 he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the springs which were outside of the city; and they helped him.
4 So there was gathered much people together, and they stopped all the springs, and the brook that flowed through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Ashshur come, and find much water?
5 He took courage, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised [it] up to the towers, and the other wall outside, and strengthened Millo [in] the city of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance.
6 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 spoke comfortably to them, saying,
7 Be strong and of good courage, don't be afraid nor dismayed for the king of Ashshur, nor for all the multitude who is with him; for there is a greater with us than with him:
8 with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. The people rested themselves on the words of Hizkiyahu king of Yehudah.
9 After this did Sancheriv king of Ashshur send his servants to Yerushalayim, (now he was before Lakhish, and all his power with him,) to Hizkiyahu king of Yehudah, and to all Yehudah who were at Yerushalayim, saying,
10 Thus says Sancheriv king of Ashshur, Whereon do you trust, that you abide the siege in Yerushalayim?
11 Does not Hizkiyahu persuade you, to give you over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, the LORD our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Ashshur?
12 Has not the same Hizkiyahu taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Yehudah and Yerushalayim, saying, You shall worship before one altar, and on it shall you burn incense?
13 Don't you know what I and my fathers have done to 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?
14 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?
15 Now therefore don't let Hizkiyahu deceive you, nor persuade you after this manner, neither believe you 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?
16 His servants spoke yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hizkiyahu.
17 He wrote also letters, to rail on the LORD, the God of Yisra'el, 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 the God of Hizkiyahu not deliver his people out of my hand.
18 They cried with a loud voice in the Yehudim' language to the people of Yerushalayim who were on the wall, to frighten them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.
19 They spoke of the God of Yerushalayim, as of the gods of the peoples of the eretz, which are the work of men's hands.
20 Hizkiyahu the king, and Yesha`yahu the prophet the son of Amotz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.
21 The LORD sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of Ashshur. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. When he was come into the house of his god, those who came forth from his own bowels killed him there with the sword.
22 Thus the LORD saved Hizkiyahu and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim from the hand of Sancheriv the king of Ashshur, and from the hand of all [others], and guided them on every side.
23 Many brought gifts to the LORD to Yerushalayim, and precious things to Hizkiyahu king of Yehudah; so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.
24 In those days Hizkiyahu was sick even to death: and he prayed to the LORD; and he spoke to him, and gave him a sign.
25 But Hizkiyahu didn't render again according to the benefit done to him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath on him, and on Yehudah and Yerushalayim.
26 Notwithstanding Hizkiyahu humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim, so that the wrath of the LORD didn't come on them in the days of Hizkiyahu.
27 Hizkiyahu 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;
28 store-houses also for the increase of grain and new wine and oil; and stalls for all manner of animals, and flocks in folds.
29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much substance.
30 This same Hizkiyahu also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gichon, and brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David. Hizkiyahu prospered in all his works.
31 However in [the business of] the ambassadors of the princes of Bavel, who sent to 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.
32 Now the rest of the acts of Hizkiyahu, and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of Yesha`yahu the prophet the son of Amotz, in the book of the kings of Yehudah and Yisra'el.
33 Hizkiyahu slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the ascent of the tombs of the sons of David: and all Yehudah and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim did him honor at his death. Menashsheh his son reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 32 Commentary

Chapter 32

The invasion of Sennacherib, His defeat. (1-23) Hezekiah's sickness, His prosperous reign, and death. (24-33)

Verses 1-23 Those who trust God with their safety, must use proper means, else they tempt him. God will provide, but so must we also. Hezekiah gathered his people together, and spake comfortably to them. A believing confidence in God, will raise us above the prevailing fear of man. Let the good subjects and soldiers of Jesus Christ, rest upon his word, and boldly say, Since God is for us, who can be against us? By the favour of God, enemies are lost, and friends gained.

Verses 24-33 God left Hezekiah to himself, that, by this trial and his weakness in it, what was in his heart might be known; that he was not so perfect in grace as he thought he was. It is good for us to know ourselves, and our own weakness and sinfulness, that we may not be conceited, or self-confident, but may always live in dependence upon Divine grace. We know not the corruption of our own hearts, nor what we shall do if God leaves us to ourselves. His sin was, that his heart was lifted up. What need have great men, and good men, and useful men, to study their own infirmities and follies, and their obligations to free grace, that they may never think highly of themselves; but beg earnestly of God, that he will always keep them humble! Hezekiah made a bad return to God for his favours, by making even those favours the food and fuel of his pride. Let us shun the occasions of sin: let us avoid the company, the amusements, the books, yea, the very sights that may administer to sin. Let us commit ourselves continually to God's care and protection; and beg of him never to leave us nor forsake us. Blessed be God, death will soon end the believer's conflict; then pride and every sin will be abolished. He will no more be tempted to withhold the praise which belongs to the God of his salvation.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 32

This chapter relates Sennacherib's invasion of the land of Judah, the preparations Hezekiah made to resist him, and the encouragement he gave his people to trust in the Lord, 2Ch 32:1-8 the messages and letters Sennacherib sent to Hezekiah and his subjects, full of arrogance and blasphemy, to solicit them to deliver up Jerusalem to him, 2Ch 32:9-19 the destruction of his army by an angel, and the deliverance of the Jews at the prayers of Hezekiah and Isaiah, 2Ch 32:20-23 the sin Hezekiah fell into after this, and his recovery from a fit of illness; but, upon his humiliation for it, wrath was averted, 2Ch 32:24-26 and the chapter is concluded with an account of his honours, riches, and exploits, and of his death and burial, 2Ch 32:27-33.

2 Chronicles 32 Commentaries

The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.