Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and in the treasuries of the royal palace. So Hezekiah gave himThe name "Hezekiah" means "Yahweh strengthens" in Hebrew, reflecting the king's reliance on God throughout his reign. Hezekiah was a king of Judah known for his faithfulness to God, as described in 2 Kings 18:5, which states that he trusted in the LORD more than any of the kings of Judah before or after him. The act of giving here is significant, as it demonstrates Hezekiah's willingness to part with material wealth in an attempt to preserve his kingdom. This action can be seen as a moment of political strategy, but also as a test of faith, where Hezekiah must balance his trust in God with the practical demands of leadership. all the silver
Silver, in the ancient Near East, was a common medium of exchange and a symbol of wealth and prosperity. The mention of "all the silver" indicates the extent of Hezekiah's sacrifice. In biblical times, silver was often used in temple offerings and as a means of tribute or ransom. This phrase highlights the gravity of the situation Hezekiah faced, as he was willing to deplete the kingdom's resources to appease the Assyrian king, Sennacherib. It underscores the desperation and the dire circumstances that led to such a decision. that was found in the house of the LORD
The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. The temple was not only a spiritual center but also a repository of wealth, as offerings and tithes were stored there. The fact that Hezekiah took silver from the temple indicates the severity of the threat from Assyria. This action would have been controversial, as the temple's resources were considered sacred. It reflects the tension between the need to protect the nation and the desire to honor God. and in the treasuries of the king’s palace
The "treasuries of the king’s palace" were the royal storehouses where the king's wealth was kept. This phrase suggests that Hezekiah exhausted both religious and royal resources to meet the demands of the Assyrian king. Historically, this reflects the common practice of paying tribute to more powerful empires to avoid destruction. The inclusion of both the temple and palace treasuries emphasizes the totality of Hezekiah's offering, showing his commitment to preserving his people, even at great personal and national cost. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe king of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to rid Judah of idolatry. He is a central figure in this passage, demonstrating both his leadership and his vulnerability. 2. SennacheribThe king of Assyria, who threatened Judah and demanded tribute. His aggressive expansion and military campaigns posed a significant threat to the kingdom of Judah. 3. The House of the LORDRefers to the temple in Jerusalem, a sacred place where treasures were stored. It symbolizes the spiritual and religious center of Judah. 4. The Treasuries of the Royal PalaceThe storage places for the wealth of the kingdom, representing the material resources of Judah. 5. Tribute PaymentThe event where Hezekiah, under pressure, gives silver to Sennacherib as a form of tribute to appease the Assyrian threat. Teaching Points Faith Under PressureHezekiah's decision to give silver to Sennacherib reflects the tension between political expediency and faith. Believers today can learn to seek God's guidance when facing pressure. The Cost of CompromiseThe use of temple treasures for tribute highlights the potential spiritual cost of compromising with worldly powers. Christians are called to discern when compromise undermines their faith. Stewardship of ResourcesHezekiah's actions prompt reflection on how we use our resources. Are we using what God has given us to honor Him, or are we driven by fear and external pressures? Trust in God's DeliveranceDespite Hezekiah's initial response, the broader account shows God's ultimate deliverance of Judah. This teaches believers to trust in God's power and timing. Bible Study Questions 1. What pressures or threats in your life might lead you to compromise your faith, and how can you seek God's guidance in those situations? 2. How does Hezekiah's use of temple silver challenge or affirm your understanding of stewardship and the use of resources for God's purposes? 3. In what ways can the account of Hezekiah and Sennacherib encourage you to trust in God's deliverance in your own life? 4. How do the parallel accounts in 2 Chronicles and Isaiah enhance your understanding of Hezekiah's actions and God's response? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult decision. How did your faith influence your actions, and what can you learn from Hezekiah's example? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 32Provides a parallel account of Hezekiah's reign, including his reforms and the Assyrian threat, offering additional context to his actions. Isaiah 36-37Describes the Assyrian invasion and Hezekiah's response, highlighting his reliance on God and the prophetic counsel of Isaiah. Exodus 25Discusses the construction of the tabernacle and the use of silver, connecting the sacred use of silver to its later use as tribute. Proverbs 3:9-10Encourages honoring the Lord with wealth, contrasting Hezekiah's use of temple silver for tribute with the ideal of dedicating resources to God. People Abi, Abijah, Ahaz, Asaph, David, Elah, Eliakim, Hezekiah, Hilkiah, Hoshea, Israelites, Joah, Pharaoh, Rabsaris, Rabshakeh, Sennacherib, Shalmaneser, Shebna, Tartan, Zachariah, ZechariahPlaces Arpad, Assyria, Egypt, Gaza, Gozan, Habor River, Halah, Hamath, Hena, Ivvah, Jerusalem, Lachish, Samaria, Sepharvaim, Washer's FieldTopics Giveth, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, King's, Palace, Royal, Silver, Store-house, Temple, Treasures, TreasuriesDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 18:15 5558 storing 2 Kings 18:13-16 4333 gold 2 Kings 18:13-35 7240 Jerusalem, history 2 Kings 18:14-15 4363 silver
5437 palaces
7467 temple, Solomon's Library Hezekiah, a Pattern of Devout Life
'Hezekiah trusted in the Lord God of Israel.... 6. He clave to the Lord, and departed not from following Him, but kept His commandments.'--2 KINGS xviii. 5,6. Devout people in all ages and stations are very much like each other. The elements of godliness are always the same. This king of Israel, something like two thousand six hundred years ago, and the humblest Christian to-day have the family likeness on their faces. These words, which are an outline sketch of the king's character, are really …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Woman of Samaria
(Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, 1856.) 2 Kings xviii. 9-12. And it came to pass in the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, came up against Samaria, and besieged it. And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken. And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor …
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country Sermons A Living Book
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Symbol of "Asshur", the principal Assyrian idol.] There is only one Book that never grows old. For thousands of years men have been writing books. Most books are forgotten soon after they are written; a few of the best and wisest are remembered for a time. But all at last grow old; new discoveries are made; new ideas arise; the old books are out of date; their usefulness is at an end. Students are the only people who still care to read them. The nations to which the …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Old Testament and Archeology
A century ago the student of the world's history found it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to paint for himself a clear picture of events antedating B.C. 400. Concerning earlier periods, he was, aside from the Old Testament, practically without records that could claim contemporaneousness with the events recorded. But, one hundred years ago, men had commenced to test every statement, be it historical, or scientific, or theological, by severe canons of criticism, and if it could not stand …
Frederick Carl Eiselen—The Christian View of the Old Testament Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Sargon of Assyria (722-705 B. C. )
SARGON AS A WARRIOR AND AS A BUILDER. The origin of Sargon II.: the revolt of Babylon, Merodach-baladan and Elam--The kingdom of Elam from the time of the first Babylonian empire; the conquest's of Shutruh-nalkunta I.; the princes of Malamir--The first encounter of Assyria and Elam, the battle of Durilu (721 B.C.)--Revolt of Syria, Iaubidi of Hamath and Hannon of Gaza--Bocchoris and the XXIVth Egyptian dynasty; the first encounter of Assyria with Egypt, the battle of Raphia (720 B.C.). Urartu …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 General Principles of Interpretation. 1 Since the Bible Addresses Men in Human Language...
CHAPTER XXXIV. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION. 1. Since the Bible addresses men in human language, and according to human modes of thinking and speaking, the interpreter's first work is to ascertain the meaning of the terms employed. Here he must proceed as in the case of other writings, seeking by the aid of grammars, lexicons, cognate languages, ancient versions, ancient interpreters, and whatever other outward helps are available, to gain a thorough knowledge of the language employed by …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 The History Books
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Assyrian idol-god] Thus little by little the Book of God grew, and the people He had chosen to be its guardians took their place among the nations. A small place it was from one point of view! A narrow strip of land, but unique in its position as one of the highways of the world, on which a few tribes were banded together. All around great empires watched them with eager eyes; the powerful kings of Assyria, Egypt, and Babylonia, the learned Greeks, and, in later times, …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 18:15 NIV2 Kings 18:15 NLT2 Kings 18:15 ESV2 Kings 18:15 NASB2 Kings 18:15 KJV
2 Kings 18:15 Commentaries
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