Bible Commentaries

CHAPTER 32 Sennacherib’s Invasion, the Deliverance, and the Passing of Hezekiah

1. Sennacherib’s invasion (2 Chronicles 32:1-2)

2. The king’s counsel and trust in God (2 Chronicles 32:3-8)

3. Sennacherib’s threatening and arrogance (2 Chronicles 32:9-16)

4. Sennacherib’s defiance of God (2 Chronicles 32:17-19)

5. Hezekiah’s and Isaiah’s prayer (2 Chronicles 32:20)

6. The deliverance (2 Chronicles 32:21-23)

7. Hezekiah’s illness, pride and departure (2 Chronicles 32:24-33)

As this part of Hezekiah’s history is also found in 2 Kings 20 and we have given already the necessary annotations in connection with these chapters, we do not repeat them here. His prayer and Isaiah’s ministry are reported in Second Kings and omitted in Chronicles. So are the details of his illness, his prayer, Isaiah’s comforting words, and the details of his failure when he exposed his wealth to the ambassadors. The account of the defiance of Sennacherib’s servants is also very much condensed in Chronicles. Both 2 Kings 19-20 and 2 Chronicles 32 must be read together. But we find also additions here. Notably among these are the beautiful words of Hezekiah. After he had done all in his power in defence of the city, cutting off the water, building walls, raising up towers, making darts and shields, appointing captains, he uttered his comforting message. “Be strong and courageous, be not afraid or dismayed for the King of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him, for there be more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles.” (See 2 Kings 6:16. No doubt the king had a record of the events of Elisha’s ministry and words.) No wonder the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah. They are good and helpful words to rest upon in faith in all our warfare down here.