Comments on 2 Chronicles 32 The same events covered in this chapter are also covered in Isaiah 36-39. The Isaiah version contains some additional material alluded to in this account. v1-23 Judah is tested by an impending Assyrian invasion. v2-6 Hezekiah sees the impending danger and acts wisely to fortify and prepare the people physically. v7-8 While he prepares the people physically for war, he does not forget who really protects Israel. He spurs the people's faith on and tells them not to fear because the Lord will protect them. And the people listen to him. v9-15 Sennacherib, king of Assyria, sends the Rabshakeh (an Assyrian title for a leader under the king) in envoy to Jerusalem to attempt psychological warfare and cause revolt from within. Speaking out in the presence of all the people, the envoy insults Hezekiah and compares the very eminently real military successes of Sennacherib with the unseen God of Judah. The envoy makes it clear that as far as they are concerned Jerusalem's God is no different from any of the other nation's gods which have afforded no protection whatsoever. The statement is closed with an appeal to the people to be practical and not put their hopes in the vain notions of Hezekiah. v16-19 Others in the Rabshakeh's envoy take their turn insulting the God of Israel, saying He is no more than the other gods made by man's hands. And they also send letters among the people. The intent here is clearly to subvert Hezekiah's resistance by creating a group sympathetic to surrender. They are aware the resistance is based upon their faith in the Lord, and therefore attack that faith so as to undermine morale. Religion just isn't the issue here. Had Hezekiah made alliance with Egypt, the Rabshakeh would have lampooned that instead. His intent is purely military. The problem is even though his intent is military, he still ends up blaspheming the One True God. v20-23 Hezekiah and Isaiah appeal to the Lord for protection in the face of this threat of subversion, and the Lord hears their prayers. An angel is sent to dispatch the Assyrian armies and when it does the remaining forces retreat. The king later returns home and ends up being killed by two of his own sons while worshiping in his idolatrous temple. Thus the Lord delivers Jerusalem, resulting in Hezekiah and Jerusalem becoming noteworthy in the eyes of its neighbors. The slaughter of the Assyrian forces and subsequent assassination of the king are presented as a direct effect of their speaking out blasphemous words against the Lord, cf. Isa. 10 for more background on the nature of the king of Assyria. v24-26 Hezekiah does very well as king of Judah, until things become prosperous. Then he becomes ungrateful, even after a miraculous healing that spares his life. He does humble himself somewhat afterwards, but a curse is leveled on Jerusalem for their pride. Thus, Hezekiah is one of the better kings of Judah, but has his fall from grace as well as did all of the other good kings of Judah, and so his mortality and humanity is exposed. v27-31 are a parenthesis filling in the background on the comment in v. 25. v32-33 Closing formula on Hezekiah's reign over Judah. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.