THE MESSENGERS OF THE KING OF ASSYRIA CALL ON THE PEOPLE OF JERUSALEM TO SURRENDER AND IN SO DOING SEEK TO DEMEAN HEZEKIAH (2 KINGS 18:18 TO 2 KINGS 19:1). We may wonder why this incident was described in such detail and the answer would be that it was in order to underline the greatness of the kin... [ Continue Reading ]
INTRODUCTION TO THE REIGN OF HEZEKIAH, KING OF JUDAH (2 KINGS 18:1). 2 Kings 18:1 ‘Now it came about in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.' In the twelfth year of Ahaz's co-regency with Jotham, Hoshea ‘began to reign' (2... [ Continue Reading ]
SUMMARY OF HEZEKIAH'S REIGN (2 KINGS 18:4). The activities and accomplishments of Hezekiah are now summarised, and his continuing faithfulness to YHWH and consequent success come out in this summary. He removed all causes of idolatry from Judah, and trusted wholly in YHWH more than any other king ap... [ Continue Reading ]
A REMINDER OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO HOSHEA AND SAMARIA, WHICH HIGHLIGHTS BOTH JERUSALEM'S OWN SUBSEQUENT ESCAPE, AND HEZEKIAH'S SUCCESSFUL CONTRASTING REIGN (2 KINGS 18:9). In preparing for what is to come the prophetic author reminds us of what had happened to Hoshea and Samaria. When they were fac... [ Continue Reading ]
THE INVASION OF JUDAH BY SENNACHERIB RESULTS IN HEZEKIAH YIELDING AND BEING CALLED ON TO FACE MAJOR PENALTIES, ONLY FOR SENNACHERIB TO DO AN ABOUT FACE AND DECIDE TO TAKE JERUSALEM AFTER ALL (2 KINGS 18:13). Tyre, Ashkelon and Gaza having been defeated, and the remaining members of the alliance havi... [ Continue Reading ]