2 Kings 19:9, commentary and pictures

Sennacherib was away from Jerusalem at Libnah when Rabshakeh returned to him, and when he heard that Tirhakah king of Ethiopia had come out to fight against him he sent messengers again to Hezekiah. The Assyrian threat did not lift with this new military challenge, but pressed on against Judah even while another army drew near. Yet earnest pleading with God went before the proud threats were broken, for Hezekiah prayed and God answered by sending His angel to strike down 185,000 in one night without Israel's help. That overthrow in answer to two faithful men shows the greatest victories are won in the audience chamber with God, and the same victories by faith in His promises will be won by His people when no human help is nigh in the troublous times at the closing of the work.

Historical Context and Outcome

The verse falls within the history of the remaining kingdom of Judah, after the ten tribes had been swept away. It belongs to the record of Hezekiah's reign, one of the two good kings whose rule receives much attention in the history of Judah. Hezekiah was devoted to God but made a mistake that exalted man, stirred Babylon's desire for Judah's wealth, and brought captivity upon his descendants.

The verse places Sennacherib away from Jerusalem, at Libnah, after Rabshakeh had returned to him, when he heard that Tirhakah king of Ethiopia had come out to fight him, and he then sent messengers with a letter to Hezekiah. It shows the Assyrian threat continuing despite a new military challenge, for after hearing that Tirhakah had come out to fight against the Assyrians, the Assyrian king sent messengers again to Hezekiah.

The chapter records Sennacherib's invasion of Palestine and siege of Jerusalem, which is confirmed by the Assyrian cylinder, though the cylinder does not record the loss of 185,000 Assyrian soldiers and does mention a misfortune in the camp. The setting shows the Assyrian army was not encamped against Jerusalem when the angel struck it, for Sennacherib was away to fight Tirhakah and later returned to his own land in shame. The king of Assyria survived the destruction of his army, returned to his own land, and died there, which rejects the claim that Isaiah 30:33 was fulfilled by the destruction of the Assyrian army in Tophet.

Prayer and Divine Deliverance

2 Kings 19:9 belongs to the account of Sennacherib's campaign against Judah, in which despite the Assyrian king's proud threats and powerful army, earnest pleading with God preceded his defeat and retreat. It is an example of earnest pleading with God before Sennacherib and his mighty army were turned back to destruction. The verse comes at the point in Hezekiah's trouble when report comes that Tirhakah king of Ethiopia has gone out to fight against the Assyrians, and after hearing the report the Assyrian king sent messengers again to Hezekiah. The whole account shows that God's people may bring their troubles to God in prayer, for Hezekiah prayed and God answered by striking Sennacherib's army with death.

The chapter shows God fighting for Israel without their help, when an angel struck down 185,000 in one night. This deliverance was one of the circumstances through which Israel could see whether their hearts accepted God's ways and plans. God overthrew the king of Assyria and all his host in answer to the prayers of two faithful men of God. This means the greatest victories are not gained by talent or education, by wealth or by the favor of men, but are gained in the audience chamber with God when earnest, agonizing prayer lays hold upon the mighty arm of power. The same victories by faith in God's promises will be gained by the people of God in troublous times in the closing of the work when no human help is nigh.

Parallel Passage in Isaiah

The nineteenth chapter of 2 Kings is identical to the thirty-seventh chapter of Isaiah. The two chapters are alike to one another. This verse therefore has its counterpart in Isaiah 37. The account to which it belongs has a parallel in Isaiah 37, and the two accounts differ considerably in wording.