32 After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.
The enemy of Judah, Assyria's King Sennacherib, came into the land of Judah with the mindset to overtake the people of Judah.
It is hard to comprehend a life without being led by God. To think that 185,000 men came to claim a group of people for no reason at all is mind-boggling to me. Judah had God as a leader. God wants to be everyone's leader. Instead of asking how do you prosper as you do? Assyria decides to invade and bully the children of God.
2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,
3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.
King Hezekiah thought of an idea to stop Assyria from overtaking Judah. Some think that his idea was brilliant. Hezekiah has been walking with God so closely until you would think he would ask God's guidance and wait to hear what God had to say. Hezekiah made a plan to stop the water flow so that Assyria could not continue to siege them because they needed water and he cut the water supply off.
4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
The people came together and built a way to get water for the city of Judah but it was completely cut off from anyone who was outside of the city.
5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.
Hezekiah thought he needed military gear to make himself stronger. God did not stop him from doing what he thought was in the best interest of the people. Having security seems to be a way to make sure the people knew he was doing all he could to make them feel secure, and this is what leaders do when it is in their power to do so.
We add extra security to what we own and it makes us feel safer. But, God knows with all of our frail attempts to protect ourselves, we need His protection.
6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more 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. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
King Hezekiah brought the people together and told them not to be afraid of Assyria. He told them that the Assyrian army was huge, but do not be afraid. The Assyrians use the number of soldiers to place fear in the people of Judah, but Judah will trust God. The people were comforted by Hezekiah's words. It is not easy to lead people when they are afraid. Hezekiah was a king that people learned to trust. Judah had been in many wars and they saw God each time they trusted him to defeat their enemies. However, no matter how many battles they won, there were new temptations of doubt. But, with a godly leader, there is hope when you hear your leader say we will depend on God again.
9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,
The large army laid in wait outside of Judah. Sennacherib was busy fighting in Lachish. He sent the speakers of his army to speak to Judah on his behalf.
10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?
11 Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The Lord our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?
13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?
14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?
15 Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?
16 And his servants spake yet more against the Lord God, and against his servant Hezekiah.
The servants of Assyria's king spoke threats and spoke clearly that Our (Judah's) God was a god. He tried to get the people to surrender to him by saying Hezekiah is not a good king and he was not doing things that were in their best interest. He bragged about how many other people were captured by them. He counted on his past and thought it was good enough to predict his future. But he spoke against the living God. Although God allowed Hezekiah to make weapons of war, it would be God alone who will win this war!
17 He wrote also letters to rail on the Lord God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.
The enemy put in writing more braggadocious comments against the God of Israel. When we are filled with the knowledge of God and people speak against us for that, since God is his Word, then people are talking against the Living God. A man railing on God? What? Are you serious?
18 Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.
The leaders of Judah asked the Assyrians to speak in their language so that the people standing around would not be afraid of their threats. Assyria paid no attention to their request and spoke louder and they spoke in the language that everyone could hear their threats.
19 And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man.
Assyria continued to boast against God.
20 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.
The king and prophet prayed! What a combination! Two men prayed! WoWWWW!
21 And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
185,000 men silenced! Dead! The king who was not present but sent his words died by his own children.
22 Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.
The Lord saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem.
23 And many brought gifts unto the Lord to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.
Hezekiah's name was made great in all nations.
24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.
Hezekiah became sick. Sick enough to die. Hezekiah prayed. God gave him a sign to assure him he heard his prayer and that he will grant him life for 15 more years.
25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
Hezekiah became prideful and turned his heart from following God.
26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah repented for the pride and God did not destroy him or the people of Judah during Hezekiah's lifetime.
27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;
28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.
29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.
30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
Hezekiah was rich, famous, and intelligent.
31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire 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.
Hezekiah was tested. Businessmen came into his domain and God tested him to show him himself. Hezekiah doing was not kept secret. Hezekiah allowed the wrong people into the land of Judah and put Judah in a compromising position. The people were aware of the king's action. The prophet Isaiah spoke to Hezekiah and told him he made a grave mistake in allowing the enemy to spy out his property. When we forget God's plan because of the things we gain, we lose.
32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
Hezekiah dies and the people honored him at his burial.
His son Manasseh became king at 12 years old. Hezekiah did not have Manasseh until 3 years after God granted him 15 extra years to live. Hezekiah lived 12 years with his son Manasseh and died.
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