Topical Encyclopedia The correspondence between Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, and Hezekiah, the king of Judah, is a significant episode in the biblical narrative, illustrating the tension between the Assyrian empire and the kingdom of Judah. This episode is primarily recorded in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah.Historical Context Sennacherib reigned as king of Assyria from 705 to 681 BC, succeeding his father Sargon II. His reign was marked by military campaigns aimed at expanding Assyrian dominance, particularly in the Levant. Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, was the king of Judah during this period, known for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh. Biblical Account The biblical narrative of Sennacherib's invasion of Judah is found in 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37. Sennacherib's campaign against Judah occurred around 701 BC, during which he captured several fortified cities. The Assyrian king then set his sights on Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. The Letters Sennacherib sent messengers to Hezekiah with a letter that contained a message of intimidation and blasphemy against the God of Israel. The letter is recorded in 2 Kings 19:10-13 and Isaiah 37:10-13. The Assyrian king boasted of his previous conquests and questioned Hezekiah's reliance on Yahweh, suggesting that no god of any nation had been able to withstand Assyria's might: "Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying: 'Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be delivered?'" (2 Kings 19:10-11). Hezekiah's Response Upon receiving the letter, Hezekiah went to the house of the LORD and spread it before the LORD in prayer, seeking divine intervention. Hezekiah's prayer is a profound expression of faith and reliance on God, acknowledging His sovereignty over all kingdoms and pleading for deliverance for the sake of His name: "And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD: 'O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God.'" (2 Kings 19:15-16). Divine Intervention In response to Hezekiah's prayer, the prophet Isaiah delivered a message from the LORD, assuring Hezekiah that Sennacherib would not enter Jerusalem. The LORD declared that He would defend the city for His own sake and for the sake of His servant David. That night, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw and return to Nineveh, where he was later assassinated by his own sons (2 Kings 19:35-37). Theological Significance The letters from Sennacherib to Hezekiah highlight the conflict between human arrogance and divine sovereignty. Sennacherib's blasphemous challenge was met with a demonstration of God's power and faithfulness to His covenant people. This episode serves as a testament to the efficacy of prayer and the assurance that God defends His people against seemingly insurmountable odds. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 19:14And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. Nave's Topical Index Library Nineveh. Deliverance from Assyria The Apocalypse of Baruch. Letter v. Prayer and Fasting. The Old Testament and Archeology A Living Book The Greater Prophets. The New Testament view of the Old Testament The Assyrian Captivity Babylonia and Assyria Resources What are the Pastoral Epistles? | GotQuestions.orgAre the “angels” of the churches in Revelation 1-3 real angels, or are they human messengers? | GotQuestions.org Who was Ignatius of Antioch? | GotQuestions.org Letters: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Letters of Artaxerxes to Nehemiah Letters: Claudius Lysias to Felix Letters: King of Babylon to Hezekiah Letters: King of Syria to King of Israel Letters: Letters of Intercession by Paul and Philemon on Behalf of Onesimus Letters: Luke to Theophilus (The Books of Luke and Acts) Letters: Open Letter from Sanballat to Nehemiah Letters: Rabshakeh to Hezekiah Letters: Sennacherib to Hezekiah Letters: Written by David to Joab Related Terms Trans-euphrates (12 Occurrences) |
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