2 Kings 18:19

_AND RABSHAKEH SAID UNTO THEM, SPEAK YE NOW TO HEZEKIAH, THUS SAITH THE GREAT KING, THE KING OF ASSYRIA, WHAT CONFIDENCE IS THIS WHEREIN THOU TRUSTEST?_ Rab-shakeh said. It appears from 2 Kings 18:26; 2 Kings 18:28 that this man spoke in the Hebrew tongue, whence, as well as from the tenor of some remarks that he made, several eminent writers have supposed that he was a renegade Jew, an apostate captive of Israel. The insolent tone he assumed appears surprising. But this boasting, both as to matter and manner, his highly coloured picture of his master's powers, and the impossibility of Hezekiah making any effective resistance, heightened by all the arguments and figures which an Oriental imagination could suggest, has been paralleled in all, except the blasphemy, by other messages of

17-37 Rabshakeh tries to convince the Jews, that it was to no purpose for them to stand it out. What confidence is this wherein thou trustest? It were well if sinners would submit to the force of this argument, in seeking peace with God. It is, therefore, our wisdom to yield to him, because it is in vain to contend with him: what confidence is that which those trust in who stand out against him? A great deal of art there is in this speech of Rabshakeh; but a great deal of pride, malice, falsehood, and blasphemy. Hezekiah's nobles held their peace. There is a time to keep silence, as well as a time to speak; and there are those to whom to offer any thing religious or rational, is to cast pearls before swine. Their silence made Rabshakeh yet more proud and secure. It is often best to leave such persons to rail and blaspheme; a decided expression of abhorrence is the best testimony against...

Verse 2 Kings 18:19. _WHAT CONFIDENCE IS THIS_] מה הבטחן הזה _ma habbittachon_ _hazzeh_. The words are excessively insulting: _What little, foolish,_ _or unavailing cause of confidence is it, to which thou trustest_? I translate thus, because I consider the word בטחון _bittachon_ as a _diminutive_, intended to express the utmost contempt for Hezekiah's God....

The Rab-shakeh, the third in rank of the three Assyrian ambassadors, probably took the prominent part in the conference because he could speak Hebrew 2 Kings 18:26, whereas the Tartan and the Rabsaris could not do so. THE GREAT KING - This title of the monarchs of Assyria is found in use as early as 1120 B.C. Like the title, “king of kings,” the distinctive epithet “great” served to mark emphatically the vast difference between the numerous vassal monarchs and the suzerain of whom they held their crowns....

EXPOSITION 18-25 THE HISTORY OF THE KINGDOM OF JUDAH AFTER THE FALL OF SAMARIA. 2 KINGS 18:1 THE ACCESSION OF HEZEKIAH. HIS SUCCESSES. HIS WAR WITH SENNACHERIB. 2 KINGS 18:1 THE EARLY YEARS Or HEZEKIAH. From his narrative of the destruction of the kingdom of Samaria, the writer

2 Kings 18:17...

IV. THE REIGN OF HEZEKIAH, MANASSEH AND AMON 1. Hezekiah and Sennacherib's Invasion CHAPTER 18 _ 1. Hezekiah, King of Judah (2 Kings 18:1; 2 Kings 2 Chron. 29-32)_ 2. The Revival (2 Kings 18:4) 3. Victory over the Philistines (2 Kings 18:8) 4. Israel's captivity (2 Kings 18:9) 5. Sennacherib's invasion (2 Kings 18:13) 6. Sennacherib's messengers and message ...

2 KINGS 18:13 TO 2 KINGS 19:37. SENNACHERIB'S CAMPAIGN. 2 Kings 18:13. In the fourteenth year: if Hezekiah began to reign five years before the fall of Samaria (722 B.C.), and Sennacherib did not succeed till 706 B.C., this date cannot be correct. The king of Assyria took upwards of 200,000 Jewish captives. 2 Kings 18:14. Lachish (p. 28) was besieged by Sennacherib, and his exploits there are depicted on a bas-relief in the British Museum. 2 Kings 18:16. which Hezekiah overlaid: Skinner asks, Should it be Solo

RAB-SHAKEH SAID. See the references to this in Hezekiah's "Songs of the degrees". Psalms 120:2; Psalms 120:3; Psalms 128:3; Psalms 128:4, and compare Isaiah 37:4. See App-67. WHAT CONFIDENCE... ? Note the Figure of speech _Erotesis_ (App-6), which the Rab-shakeh constantly uses. See verses: 2 Kings 18:18; 2 Kings 18:20. 2Ki 20:22, 2Ki 20:24, 2Ki 20:25, 2Ki 20:27, 2Ki

_Speak ye now to Hezekiah_ Their message was first addressed to the king, but afterwards they turn (verse 29) to the people who had gathered to hear the parley. The briefer record of the Chronicler combines both parts of the conference and says the messengers were sent -unto Hezekiah … and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem". _the great king_ Hezekiah would know that his own father Ahaz had been one of Assyria's tributaries, and that many other petty kings around were in the same condition. Hence the term is calculated to warn him against resistance. _What confidence_is _this wherein thou trustest_ The question in Chronicles, being represented as at once addressed both to king and people, is put in the plural number -Whereon do _ye_trust"?...