2 Chronicles 32 Study Notes

32:20-22 The parallel passages of this event (2Kg 18; Is 36-37) provide a lengthier description of the verbal exchanges as well as more detailed information about the events surrounding this siege. For the Chronicler, the crucial thing was that Hezekiah, who received encouragement from the prophet Isaiah, trusted in God and received a miraculous reward. An Assyrian army of 185,000 gathered around Jerusalem, but the Lord went to work on behalf of his anointed. In one night the entire army was annihilated, and Sennacherib was forced to withdraw and return to his homeland where he was eventually assassinated by his own sons.

32:23 Hezekiah’s victory at the hand of the Lord did not go unnoticed. Many people came to the temple to bring offerings. Among them were people from other nations who also brought valuable gifts for the king. This brought international respect to Hezekiah, Jerusalem, Judah, and the Lord.

32:24 Again, 2 Chronicles provides a shorter version of this event than the reports in 2 Kings and Isaiah. Hezekiah became sick to the point of death, but God heard his plea and gave him fifteen more years of life. The Lord provided confirmation of this promise by the miraculous sign of having a shadow cast by the sun move in a counterclockwise direction (2Kg 20:1-11).

32:25-26 The pride for which Hezekiah was rebuked occurred when he received visitors from Babylon and showed them all his treasures (v. 31; 2Kg 20:12-19). The king did not react defensively when he was corrected on this point (cp. 2Ch 25:16), but humbled himself before God and became obedient.

32:27-31 As the Chronicler summarizes Hezekiah’s reign, we are reminded of the time of Solomon. Hezekiah was able to acquire abundant riches, he carried out building projects (specifically the reworking of Jerusalem’s water supply), he received ambassadors who had heard about his success, and the country flourished.

32:32-33 Hezekiah received a good evaluation by the Chronicler, and he was mourned by all Judah. He was buried with honor among the former kings of Judah. The Visions of the Prophet Isaiah probably refers to a lost history written by the prophet (cp. 26:22).