Historical Context:
Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, reigned from 705 to 681 BC. His military campaigns were marked by aggressive expansion and the subjugation of various nations, including the Kingdom of Judah. The biblical account of Sennacherib's threat to Jerusalem is primarily found in 2 Kings 18-19, 2 Chronicles 32, and Isaiah 36-37. This event occurred during the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, a king noted for his faithfulness to the LORD and his efforts to restore proper worship in the land.

Biblical Account:
In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah's reign, Sennacherib invaded Judah and captured its fortified cities (2 Kings 18:13). Hezekiah initially attempted to appease Sennacherib by paying a substantial tribute, stripping the gold from the doors of the LORD's temple and the pillars he had overlaid (2 Kings 18:14-16). Despite this, Sennacherib sent his field commander, the Rabshakeh, with a large army to Jerusalem to demand its surrender.

The Rabshakeh stood by the aqueduct of the Upper Pool and delivered a message intended to demoralize the people of Jerusalem. He questioned their reliance on Egypt and their trust in the LORD, claiming that the LORD Himself had commanded the destruction of Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:19-25). The Rabshakeh spoke in Hebrew to ensure that the people on the city wall could hear, aiming to incite fear and doubt (2 Kings 18:26-28).

Hezekiah's officials, Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah, reported the Rabshakeh's words to the king, who responded by tearing his clothes and covering himself with sackcloth, a sign of mourning and repentance. Hezekiah then sent his officials to the prophet Isaiah, seeking divine guidance (2 Kings 19:1-2).

Divine Intervention:
Isaiah assured Hezekiah that the LORD would defend the city and that Sennacherib would return to his own land, where he would be killed by the sword (2 Kings 19:6-7). Meanwhile, Sennacherib sent a letter to Hezekiah, reiterating his threats and mocking the LORD, comparing Him to the powerless gods of other nations (2 Kings 19:10-13).

Hezekiah took the letter to the temple and spread it before the LORD, praying earnestly for deliverance. He acknowledged the LORD as the one true God, Creator of heaven and earth, and pleaded for Him to save Jerusalem so that all kingdoms would know that He alone is God (2 Kings 19:14-19).

In response, the LORD, through Isaiah, sent a message to Hezekiah, declaring that Sennacherib would not enter the city or shoot an arrow there. The LORD promised to defend Jerusalem for His own sake and for the sake of His servant David (2 Kings 19:32-34).

The Outcome:
That night, the angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp, forcing Sennacherib to withdraw and return to Nineveh (2 Kings 19:35-36). Later, while worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, Sennacherib was assassinated by his own sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer, fulfilling the prophecy given by Isaiah (2 Kings 19:37).

Theological Significance:
The account of Sennacherib's threat and the subsequent divine deliverance of Jerusalem underscores the sovereignty and power of the LORD over all nations. It highlights the importance of faith and reliance on God in the face of overwhelming odds. Hezekiah's prayer and Isaiah's prophecy demonstrate the LORD's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His ability to protect His people for His name's sake. This event serves as a testament to God's ability to intervene in history and deliver His people from their enemies.