Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God, and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives." Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of the RabshakehThis phrase reflects the hope and faith in God's ability to intervene in dire circumstances. The Rabshakeh was a high-ranking Assyrian official, sent by King Sennacherib to intimidate and demoralize the people of Judah. His words were not just a military threat but a challenge to the power and sovereignty of the God of Israel. The use of "perhaps" indicates a humble acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and the possibility of divine intervention. This echoes other biblical instances where God's people appeal to Him in times of distress, such as in Exodus 2:23-25, where God hears the cries of the Israelites in Egypt. whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to defy the living God
The phrase highlights the direct challenge to God by the Assyrian king, Sennacherib. In the ancient Near East, military conquests were often seen as contests between the gods of the nations involved. By defying the "living God," the Assyrians were not just challenging Judah but the very existence and power of Yahweh. This sets the stage for God to demonstrate His supremacy over the false gods of the nations, similar to the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. and He will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard
This expresses confidence that God is not only aware of the blasphemous words spoken against Him but is also capable of responding with judgment. The concept of God hearing and responding is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in Psalm 18:6, where God hears the cries of His people and acts on their behalf. The rebuke of the Assyrian king would serve as a testament to God's power and justice, reinforcing His role as the defender of His people. Therefore lift up a prayer for the remnant that still survives.
The call to prayer underscores the importance of intercession and reliance on God in times of crisis. The "remnant" refers to the faithful few who remain true to God amidst widespread apostasy and threat. This concept of a remnant is significant throughout the Bible, symbolizing hope and continuity of God's promises, as seen in Isaiah 10:20-22. The survival of the remnant is crucial for the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, ultimately pointing to the coming of Jesus Christ, who would emerge from this faithful lineage to bring salvation to all. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe king of Judah, known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to reform the religious practices of his people. He is seeking God's intervention against the Assyrian threat. 2. RabshakehA high-ranking Assyrian official and spokesman for King Sennacherib, sent to intimidate and demoralize the people of Judah by mocking their faith in God. 3. King of Assyria (Sennacherib)The powerful ruler of Assyria, known for his military campaigns and attempts to conquer Judah. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, referred to as the "living God" in this passage, highlighting His active presence and power. 5. The RemnantThe surviving people of Judah who remain faithful to God amidst the threat of Assyrian conquest. Teaching Points Faith in the Living GodHezekiah's appeal to God as the "living God" emphasizes the importance of trusting in a God who is active and present in our lives. In times of crisis, we should turn to God with confidence that He hears and responds. The Power of PrayerHezekiah's request for prayer underscores the significance of intercession. Prayer is a powerful tool for seeking God's intervention and support, especially when facing overwhelming challenges. God's Sovereignty Over NationsThe passage highlights God's authority over all nations, including powerful empires like Assyria. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God is in control, regardless of worldly powers. The Importance of a Faithful RemnantThe mention of the "remnant" serves as a reminder of the value of remaining faithful to God, even when surrounded by adversity. God often works through a faithful few to accomplish His purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Hezekiah's response to the Assyrian threat demonstrate his faith in God, and how can we apply this in our own lives when facing challenges? 2. In what ways does the concept of the "living God" provide comfort and assurance in times of crisis? 3. How can we incorporate intercessory prayer into our daily lives, and what impact might it have on our communities and situations? 4. What does this passage teach us about God's sovereignty over nations and leaders, and how should this influence our perspective on current world events? 5. How can we identify and support the "remnant" of faithful believers in our own communities, and why is this important for the health of the Church? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 37This chapter parallels the events of 2 Kings 19, providing additional context and details about Hezekiah's response and God's deliverance. Psalm 46This psalm reflects themes of God's protection and presence, similar to the assurance sought by Hezekiah in the face of Assyrian threats. 1 Samuel 17The account of David and Goliath, where David confronts the Philistine giant with faith in the "living God," mirrors Hezekiah's reliance on God against a formidable enemy. People Adrammelech, Amoz, Assyrians, David, Eliakim, Esarhaddon, Haran, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Rabshakeh, Sennacherib, Sharezer, Shebna, TirhakahPlaces Ararat, Arpad, Assyria, Cush, Egypt, Gozan, Hamath, Haran, Hena, Ivvah, Jerusalem, Lachish, Lebanon, Libnah, Mount Zion, Nineveh, Rezeph, Sepharvaim, Telassar, Tigris-Euphrates Region, ZionTopics Asshur, Assyria, Butlers, Chief, Commander, Decided, Defy, Ear, Evil, Hast, Lift, Lifted, Master, Mock, Nothing, Offer, Perhaps, Prayer, Rabshakeh, Rab'shakeh, Rab-shakeh, Rebuke, Remnant, Reproach, Reprove, Rest, Ridicule, Survives, Taunt, WhereforeDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 19:4 1080 God, living
7145 remnant
8817 ridicule, objects of 2 Kings 19:3-4 4921 day Library 'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
'Then Isaiah the son of Amos sent to Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, That which thou hast prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard. 21. This is the word that the Lord hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee. 22. Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Invasion of the Assyrians
(Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, Morning.) 2 Kings xix. 15-19. And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said, O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the Lord, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. Lord, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, Lord, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their …
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country Sermons Whether Charity Requires that we Should Love Our Enemies?
Objection 1: It would seem that charity does not require us to love our enemies. For Augustine says (Enchiridion lxxiii) that "this great good," namely, the love of our enemies, is "not so universal in its application, as the object of our petition when we say: Forgive us our trespasses." Now no one is forgiven sin without he have charity, because, according to Prov. 10:12, "charity covereth all sins." Therefore charity does not require that we should love our enemies. Objection 2: Further, charity …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Sinner Arraigned and Convicted.
1. Conviction of guilt necessary.--2. A charge of rebellion against God advanced.--3. Where it is shown--that all men are born under God's law.--4. That no man hath perfectly kept it.--5. An appeal to the reader's conscience on this head, that he hath not.--6. That to have broken it, is an evil inexpressibly great.--7. Illustrated by a more particular view of the aggravations of this guilt, arising--from knowledge.--8. From divine favors received.--9. From convictions of conscience overborne.--10. …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 The Golden Eagle is Cut to Pieces. Herod's Barbarity when He was Ready to Die. He Attempts to Kill Himself. He Commands Antipater to be Slain.
1. Now Herod's distemper became more and more severe to him, and this because these his disorders fell upon him in his old age, and when he was in a melancholy condition; for he was already seventy years of age, and had been brought by the calamities that happened to him about his children, whereby he had no pleasure in life, even when he was in health; the grief also that Antipater was still alive aggravated his disease, whom he resolved to put to death now not at random, but as soon as he should …
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 It is Strange that These Delightful Promises Affect us Coldly...
It is strange that these delightful promises affect us coldly, or scarcely at all, so that the generality of men prefer to wander up and down, forsaking the fountain of living waters, and hewing out to themselves broken cisterns, rather than embrace the divine liberality voluntarily offered to them (Jer. 2:13). "The name of the Lord," says Solomon, "is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." (Pr. 18:10) Joel, after predicting the fearful disaster which was at hand, subjoins the …
John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith Scriptural Types.
1. The material world is full of analogies adapted to the illustration of spiritual things. No teacher ever drew from this inexhaustible storehouse such a rich variety of examples as our Saviour. His disciples are the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and a city set on a hill. From the ravens which God feeds and the lilies which God clothes, he teaches the unreasonableness of worldly anxiety. The kingdom of heaven is like seed sown in different soils, like a field of wheat and tares …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Letter xxviii (Circa A. D. 1130) to the Abbots Assembled at Soissons
To the Abbots Assembled at Soissons [45] Bernard urges the abbots zealously to perform the duty for which they had met. He recommends to them a great desire of spiritual progress, and begs them not to be delayed in their work if lukewarm and lax persons should perhaps murmur. To the Reverend Abbots met in the name of the Lord in Chapter at Soissons, brother Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, the servant of their Holiness, health and prayer that they may see, establish, and observe the things which are …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux 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 First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Why is the commandment in the second person singular, Thou? Why does not God say, You shall have no other gods? Because the commandment concerns every one, and God would have each one take it as spoken to him by name. Though we are forward to take privileges to ourselves, yet we are apt to shift off duties from ourselves to others; therefore the commandment is in the second person, Thou and Thou, that every one may know that it is spoken to him, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Prophet Amos.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. It will not be necessary to extend our preliminary remarks on the prophet Amos, since on the main point--viz., the circumstances under which he appeared as a prophet--the introduction to the prophecies of Hosea may be regarded as having been written for those of Amos also. For, according to the inscription, they belong to the same period at which Hosea's prophetic ministry began, viz., the latter part of the reign of Jeroboam II., and after Uzziah had ascended the …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament 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 19:4 NIV2 Kings 19:4 NLT2 Kings 19:4 ESV2 Kings 19:4 NASB2 Kings 19:4 KJV
2 Kings 19:4 Commentaries
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