Isaiah 37:1-6

1 It happened, when king Hizkiyahu heard it, that he tore his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

2 He sent Elyakim, who was over the household, and Shevna the Sofer, and the Zakenim of the Kohanim, covered with sackcloth, to Yesha`yahu the prophet the son of Amotz.

3 They said to him, Thus says Hizkiyahu, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of rejection; for the children have come to the birth, and there is no strength to bring forth.

4 It may be the LORD your God will hear the words of Ravshakeh, whom the king of Ashshur his master has sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.

5 So the servants of king Hizkiyahu came to Yesha`yahu.

6 Yesha`yahu said to them, Thus shall you tell your master, Thus says the LORD, Don't be afraid of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Ashshur have blasphemed me.

Isaiah 37:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 37

In this chapter are contained Hezekiah's message to Isaiah, desiring his prayer for him and his people, in this time of sore distress, Isa 37:1-5, the comforting and encouraging answer returned by the prophet to him, Isa 37:6,7, the king of Assyria's letter to Hezekiah, to terrify him into a surrender of the city of Jerusalem to him, Isa 37:8-13 which Hezekiah spread before the Lord, and prayed unto him for deliverance, Isa 37:14-20, upon which he received a gracious answer by the hand of the prophet, promising safety and deliverance to him, and destruction to the king of Assyria, of which a sign was given, Isa 37:21-35 and the chapter is closed with the slaughter of the Assyrian army by an angel, the flight of the king, and his death by the hands of his sons, Isa 37:36-38.