2 Kings 19:12-22

12 My ancestors destroyed the cities of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and killed the people of Betheden who lived in Telassar, and none of their gods could save them.

13 Where are the kings of the cities of Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah?"

14 King Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went to the Temple, placed the letter there in the presence of the Lord,

15 and prayed, "O Lord, the God of Israel, seated on your throne above the winged creatures, you alone are God, ruling all the kingdoms of the world. You created the earth and the sky. ¹

16 Now, Lord, look at what is happening to us. Listen to all the things that Sennacherib is saying to insult you, the living God.

17 We all know, Lord, that the emperors of Assyria have destroyed many nations, made their lands desolate,

18 and burned up their gods - which were no gods at all, only images of wood and stone made by human hands.

19 Now, Lord our God, rescue us from the Assyrians, so that all the nations of the world will know that only you, O Lord, are God."

20 Then Isaiah sent a message telling King Hezekiah that in answer to the king's prayer

21 the Lord had said, "The city of Jerusalem laughs at you, Sennacherib, and makes fun of you.

22 Whom do you think you have been insulting and ridiculing? You have been disrespectful to me, the holy God of Israel.

2 Kings 19:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 19

This chapter relates that King Hezekiah, on a report made to him of Rabshakeh's speech, sent a message to the prophet Isaiah to pray for him, who returned him a comfortable and encouraging answer, 2Ki 19:1-7 and that upon Rabshakeh's return to the king of Assyria, he sent to Hezekiah a terrifying letter, 2Ki 19:8-13, which Hezekiah spread before the Lord, and prayed unto him to save him and his people out of the hands of the king of Assyria, 2Ki 19:14-19, to which he had a gracious answer sent him by the prophet Isaiah, promising him deliverance from the Assyrian army, 2Ki 19:20-34, which accordingly was destroyed by an angel in one night, and Sennacherib fleeing to Nineveh, was slain by his two sons, 2Ki 19:35-37.

Cross References

• 1. 19.15Exodus 25.22.