1._It happened in the fourteenth year. _In this and the following chapter the Prophet relates a remarkable history, which may be regarded as the seal of his doctrine, in which he predicted the calamities that would befall his nation, and at the same time promised that God would be merciful to them,... [ Continue Reading ]
2._Then the king of Assyria Rent Rabshakeh. _The order of the narrative may here have been altered; for he had formerly said that Sennacherib had taken all the cities of Judea, and now he says that he sent Rabshakeh (28) from Lachish, implying that he was besieging it, and consequently he had not ye... [ Continue Reading ]
3._And Eliakim went to him. Eliakim _was formerly mentioned. It was he to whom the Lord promised that he would give him the chief power in the kingdom after the banishment of Shebna. (Isaiah 22:20.) It now appears as if that promise had failed, when he is sent to an enemy as a suppliant, and as one... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Say now to Hezekiah. _He relates that the three ambassadors, though they were attended by all the magnificence that yet remained in the kingdom, were not only repulsed, but disdainfully treated by the tyrant’s delegate, and loaded with disgraceful reproaches; for, as if Hezekiah had been convicte... [ Continue Reading ]
5._I have said (only a word of the lips.) _In the sacred history (2 Kings 18:20) the word employed is, _Thou hast said _This may be explained as a declaration what kind of courage Rabshakeh thinks that Hezekiah possesses; as if he had said, “Such are thy deliberations.” In this passage the use of th... [ Continue Reading ]
6._Behold, thou hast trusted in, that broken staff of reed. _This is probably separate from the former verse; for, having formerly said that the eloquence by which he flatters the people is all that Hezekiah possesses, and having inferred from this that his confidence is exceedingly foolish, he now... [ Continue Reading ]
7._And if thou shalt say to me. _Rabshakeh employs an argument which consists of three parts. Either Hezekiah thinks that he has sufficient strength to resist, or he expects assistance from Egypt, or he trusts in God. If he trusts in himself, he is mistaken; for what is he when compared to my king?... [ Continue Reading ]
8._Now come, give a hostage. _(33) He concludes that there will be nothing better for Hezekiah than to lay aside the intention of carrying on war, to surrender himself, and to promise constant obedience to the king of Assyria. To persuade him the more, Rabshakeh again reproaches him with his poverty... [ Continue Reading ]
9._And how dost thou despise? _(35) He confirms the preceding statement, and shews that ttezekiah is so far from being able to endure the presence of his king, that he ought not to be compared to the very smallest of his captains. In this insolent manner does he taunt him, that the Jews may not deri... [ Continue Reading ]
10._And now have I come up without Jehovah? _He now attacks Hezekiah in another manner, by telling him that it will serve no purpose to assemble his forces and to make other warlike preparations. For he alleges that Hezekiah has not to do or to contend with a mortal man, but with God himself, at who... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Then said Eliakim. _This circumstance again shews how deeply Hezekiah was depressed, when by his ambassador he entreats so humbly the servant of his enemy. It shews also with what pride Rabshakeh was puffed up, when he rejected so insolently all entreaties; and the refusal was the more shameful,... [ Continue Reading ]
12._And Rabshakeh said. _Hence we see the fierceness and insolence of the enemy, and hence also it is evident that Hezekiah’s kingdom was on the brink of ruin; for here Rabshakeh speaks like a conqueror, and does not address Hezekiah as a king, but as if he had been his slave. When therefore we see... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Therefore Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jewish language. _The Prophet shews by what expedients Rabshakeh endeavored to shake the heart of the people, and first relates that he spoke in the Jewish language, though the ambassadors entreared him not to do so. It was, indeed, e... [ Continue Reading ]
14._Thus saith the king. _While he claims for his master the name of _king, _he speaks of Hezekiah as a private individual, without adding any title. _Let not Hezekiah impose upon you. _He goes on to utter impudent calumnies against him, and at the same time vomits out his venom against God himself... [ Continue Reading ]
15._And let not Hezekiah make you trust in Jehovah. _He quotes the exhortation by which Hezekiah encouraged the people, and speaks lightly of it as an idle and unfounded speech. Hence we see plainly that wicked men, though they assert the power of God, treat it with contempt; for although he does no... [ Continue Reading ]
16._Do not listen to Hezekiah. _While he labors to turn away the hearts of the people from Hezekiah, he at the same time invites them to pleasures, that they may forget God and not expect anything from him. It is as if he had said, “Do not believe God, but rather believe my king.” Thus Satan deals w... [ Continue Reading ]
17._Till I come and take you away. _He now adds another condition far harder than the former; for he declares that peace cannot be made with Sennacherib in any other way than by the people going into banishment. This was nothing else than to abandon the worship of God and degenerate into superstitio... [ Continue Reading ]
18._Lest perhaps Hezekiah deceive you. _This is another argument different from the former, by which he endeavors to withdraw the people from Hezekiah and from confidence in God. Formerly he boasted that he was God’s servant, and that God had sent him to destroy Judea, and on that ground he assured... [ Continue Reading ]
19._Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? _It is supposed that _Hamath _was Antioch in Syria, that _Arpad _was that city from which colonies were brought to Damascus, and that _Sepharvaim _was a city situated in the country of Damascus. If this be true, Rabshakeh mentions the ancient names of citi... [ Continue Reading ]
20._That Jehovah should rescue Jerusalem out of my hand? _(45) The particle כי (_ki_) is taken by commentators in both places interrogatively, “Did the gods of the nations deliver? And will your God deliver?” But in order to make the meaning flow more smoothly, I have preferred to render the second... [ Continue Reading ]
21._And they were silent. _This is added in order that we may more fully understand how deep was the affliction which prevailed throughout the whole of Judea; for the good king, having hardly any strength or means of defense, is therefore struck dumb even when an enemy insults him. Ambassadors were... [ Continue Reading ]
22._Then came Eliakim. _We now see that Eliakim and the other ambassadors were not silent as if they either approved of the impiety of Rabshakeh, or through dread of danger connived at such blasphemies; for they tear their garments, and in that manner give visible display how highly they are offende... [ Continue Reading ]