2 Kings 18
Meaning of 2 Kings 18
2 Kings 18 recounts the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. Hezekiah noted for his piety and faithfulness to God, distinguishes himself by destroying the “high places” and objects of idolatry his predecessors had allowed to exist.
The chapter begins with Hezekiah’s ascension to the throne as the son of Ahaz. He is described as one who “did right in the sight of the LORD”, and who “trust in the LORD God of Israel” more than any other king of Judah.
In his reign, Hezekiah takes drastic steps to eradicate idolatrous practices, including removing high places, smashing sacred pillars, cutting down the Asherah pole, and breaking Moses’s bronze serpent, because Israelites had started burning incense to it.
The chapter also describes Assyria’s invasion and siege of Judah. The Assyrian king, Sennacherib, sends a message to Hezekiah, challenging his faith in God and threatening Jerusalem’s destruction. The message is delivered by the Rabshakeh, an Assyrian military officer, who tries to demoralize the people of Jerusalem by undermining their faith in both Hezekiah and God. The Rabshakeh claims that the Lord himself asked Assyria to destroy the land. The chapter ends with the people remaining silent, offering no response to Rabshakeh’s words, as King Hezekiah had ordered them.
In summary, 2 Kings 18 illustrates Hezekiah’s faith and the challenges his kingdom faced in the form of the Assyrian invasion. It also brings to light the introduction of religious reforms to rid the kingdom of unlawful practices. The story continues into the next chapter, chronicling Hezekiah’s prayer and God’s response.
2 Kings 18 kjv
The 18th chapter of 2 Kings in the King James Version (KJV) recounts the reign of Hezekiah, who is known as one of the good kings of Judah. He is commended for doing right in the eyes of the LORD, in contrast to his father Ahaz who did evil.
Hezekiah begins his reign at 25 years old and reigns in Jerusalem for 29 years. He removes high places, breaks sacred pillars, cuts down wooden images, and breaks into pieces the bronze serpent Moses had made, because people had started to idolize it.
In the 7th year of his reign, Hezekiah revolts against Assyria, which has previously kept Judah as a vassal state. Then, in his 14th year, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, comes to attack Judah and captures several locations, but not Jerusalem.
Representatives from Sennacherib approach Jerusalem and speak to Hezekiah’s officials, demanding surrender. They also try to cause doubt and fear among the Judahites by saying that trusting in the LORD will not save them, as the gods of other peoples could not save them from Assyria’s hand.
Despite these threats, Hezekiah’s officials, following his orders, do not answer to the Assyrians. That’s where the chapter leaves off, with Jerusalem under the threat of Assyrian attack and the people tested in their faith in the LORD. The story is continued in the next chapter.
2 Kings 18 nkjv
“2 Kings 18: New King James Version” provides details about the reign of Hezekiah, who was a king of Judah. Hezekiah was the son of Ahaz and he began his reign at the age of 25, which lasted for 29 years in Jerusalem.
This chapter highlights Hezekiah’s religious reforms, his defiance of Assyria, and the siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib, the king of Assyria.
Key points from this chapter include:
1. Hezekiah’s righteousness: He was a faithful king who carefully followed God’s laws, unlike the previous kings of Judah. He removed shrines to other gods, broke sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah pole. He even destroyed the bronze serpent Moses had made because it had become an object of worship.
2. Trust in God: Hezekiah trusted completely in God, and there was no king like him among all the kings of Judah, neither before nor after him. He held fast to God and did not depart from following him. He obeyed the Lord’s commands and prospered.
3. Rebellion against Assyria: Hezekiah rebelled against the Assyrian king, indicating his political courage. He fought and defeated the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territories, demonstrating his military prowess.
4. Sennacherib’s invasion: However, Hezekiah’s reign faced a major crisis when Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, invaded Judah. Despite Hezekiah trying to appease Sennacherib with a large tribute, Sennacherib decided to attack Jerusalem. The Assyrian commander tried to demoralize the people of Judah, questioning their trust in Hezekiah and God to deliver them.
The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, without telling us the result of the siege.
Overall, this chapter explores themes of faithfulness, obedience, courage, humility, and the tension between trust in divine power and political/military realities.
2 Kings 18 niv
“2 Kings 18” New International Version (NIV) stands for the 18th chapter of the second book of Kings in the Bible as translated to modern English in the “New International Version”.
In this chapter, the rule of Hezekiah, king of Judah, is inaugurated. Hezekiah is depicted as a righteous and faithful king, who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his ancestor David had done.
He removes high places, smashes sacred stones, cuts down Asherah poles, breaks Moses’ Bronze Snake as people were burning incense to it which was against God’s commandments. As a result of his faithfulness and obedience, God was with him and he was successful in everything he undertook.
He also rebelled against the king of Assyria, to whom Judah had been paying tribute. Hezekiah even defeats the Philistines, extending his power over their territories.
However, eventually, the King of Assyria, Sennacherib, invades Judah and lays siege to it. The Assyrians taunt the inhabitants of Jerusalem, mocking their trust in God and Hezekiah, as well as spreading false propaganda in an attempt to demoralize them.
The narrative continues into the following chapters but this chapter, 2 Kings 18, ends with Jerusalem under siege by Assyria. The important takeaway from this chapter is Hezekiah’s trust in God, his reforms that lead Judah back toward worshiping God alone, and his defiance against Assyria.
What is 2 Kings 18 all about?
2 Kings 18 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible. This chapter focuses on the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah.
Hezekiah, son of King Ahaz, is presented as a king who did what was right in the sight of the Lord, unlike his father. He removed the high places, smashed sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles (sacred symbols of the Canaanite goddess Asherah). Notably, he also destroyed the bronze snake Moses had made, as the Israelites had started burning incense to it.
Importantly, Hezekiah trusted in the Lord God of Israel, and there was no king like him among all the kings of Judah before or after him. He held fast to the LORD and kept the commands that God had given to Moses.
During his reign, Hezekiah successfully rebelled against the King of Assyria, an act that none of the kings of Israel ever achieved. Also, he attacked the Philistines as far as Gaza and its territory.
However, in Hezekiah’s fourteenth year, the King of Assyria, Sennacherib, came and invaded Judah and attacked the fortified cities, planning to seize them. Despite Hezekiah’s attempt to placate Sennacherib with tribute, the Assyrian king tried to capture Jerusalem. He sent messengers to the people of the city trying to turn them against Hezekiah and warning them not to trust in God to save them. This invasion sets the stage for the crisis that unfolds in the next chapters.
What does 2 Kings 18 teaches?
2 Kings 18 is a chapter in the Bible from the Old Testament. It details the reign of Hezekiah, king of Judah, his religious reforms, and the threats from the Assyrian empire.
Here are the main teachings from this chapter:
1. Obedience and Faithfulness: Hezekiah is described as one of the few kings of Judah who is completely faithful to God (verse 3). He abolishes the high places and idolatry that had taken hold in the kingdom and encourages the people to only worship one God. This teaching emphasizes on the importance of worshiping God alone and being obedient to his commands.
2. Trust in God: Despite the threats from the Assyrians, under the leadership of King Sennacherib, Hezekiah chooses to trust solely in God and not give in to fear (verse 6). When the Assyrians taunt and belittle the God of Israel, Hezekiah remains steadfast in his faith. This section of the chapter can teach us about putting our utmost trust in God, even in times of adversity.
3. Gradual Progress: When the Assyrians come to attack, Hezekiah does not wish to engage in a costly battle. Instead, he tries to buy peace by paying them off (verse 15). This could illustrate the idea that sometimes, the path of progress and improvement may require patience and step-by-step progress.
4. Power of Prayer: Hezekiah uses prayer as his weapon when Assyria threatens Jerusalem (verse 37). This illustrates the power of prayer in times of crisis and hardship.
Overall, 2 Kings 18 teaches us about the importance of faithful obedience to God, trusting in Him during times of difficulty, seeking gradual progress, and the power of prayer.
A Sermon on 2 Kings 18
The chapter 2 Kings 18 takes place during the reign of King Hezekiah, king of Judah in the Old Testament of the Bible.
In the beginning, we are introduced to Hezekiah, who is described as someone who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” The passage says he destroys the religious objects of idol worship his predecessors had respected, including a bronze snake that Moses had made.
Much of this chapter deals with the conflict between Hezekiah and the King of Assyria, Sennacherib. Despite his attempt to appease Sennacherib with gold from the temple, Hezekiah and his people come under siege in Jerusalem. The Assyrians taunt and demean them, claiming their God cannot save them.
However, Hezekiah stands firm in his faith in the Lord, refusing to believe the threats and jeers of his enemies. This chapter does not conclude the narrative, which carries on to 2 Kings 19 where Hezekiah receives a word of deliverance from the Lord through the prophet Isaiah.
A sermon based on this chapter might focus on several themes:
1) The importance of relying on God, as Hezekiah did, despite external circumstances and threats.
2) The dangers of idolatry, and the blessings that come from faithfulness to God alone, as mentioned at the start of the chapter.
3) The reality of facing trials and tribulations in our life, illustrated by the siege Hezekiah faced. The preacher might discuss how these struggles can test and deepen one’s faith.
4) The power of prayer and prophecy. Hezekiah’s prayers to God strengthens his faith and a prophecy reassures him in his time of need.
These themes can serve as a reminder to Christians of God’s faithfulness when they choose to stand firmly in their faith, even in face of trials or tribulations.
Key people in 2 Kings 18
In 2 Kings 18, there are three key figures: King Hezekiah of Judah, the Assyrian king Sennacherib, and the prophet Isaiah.
1. King Hezekiah: He is the king of Judah and one of the key characters in this chapter. Hezekiah is presented as a faithful king who “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done.” He removed high places, broke sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles. Moreover, he is credited with trusting God more than any other king of Judah. Hezekiah also leads successful efforts to rebel against the Assyrians, who had been demanding heavy tributes from his kingdom.
2. King Sennacherib: Sennacherib is the king of Assyria, a strong and dominant force in the regional politics at that time. He invaded Judah and besieged the fortified cities, which caused Hezekiah to offer a significant tribute to prevent an attack on Jerusalem. However, Sennacherib demanded more, including the surrender of Jerusalem, which led to a stand-off with Hezekiah and is the major conflict in this chapter.
3. The Prophet Isaiah: Though not referenced directly in 2 Kings 18, his prophecy and roles in the chapters immediately before and after suggest his significance in this period. Isaiah was a guiding force for King Hezekiah, providing spiritual guidance and directly communicating the word of God. He played a key role in some of Hezekiah’s decisions in response to the threats from Sennacherib.
Other important but secondary characters in this chapter include Eliakim son of Hilkiah, Shebna and Joah who are officials in Hezekiah’s court and negotiate with the representatives of Sennacherib.
Real world examples on 2 Kings 18
2 Kings 18 recounts the reign of King Hezekiah, who is described as doing “what was right in the eyes of the Lord”. Here are a couple of real-world applications:
1. Removing Idols (2 Kings 18:4): The Bible says that Hezekiah destroyed the idols, high places and even the bronze snake Moses had made because the Israelites were burning incense to it. This can be compared to the modern world where people may not worship physical idols, but they do place undue importance and devotion to things like money, status, personal image, etc. The takeaway from Hezekiah’s actions could be encouraging believers today to eliminate anything from their lives that might take the place of God, to ensure they are putting God first above all else.
2. Not Giving into Fear (2 Kings 18:17-37): The Assyrian army threatens to destroy Jerusalem, and the envoy gives a very fear-inciting speech to its people, trying to dissuade them from trusting in Hezekiah or God to save them. In the face of this fear, Hezekiah stands firm in his trust in God. In today’s world, individuals often face fear – whether from threats, uncertainty, or even the media – and this passage shows the importance of trusting in God and not giving in to that fear.
As with all biblical text, the interpretations can vary greatly depending on one’s personal belief, religious doctrine, and life perspective. The applications given here are simply one possible way to apply the lessons from 2 Kings 18 to modern life.
Brief Explanation of 2 Kings 18
In 2 Kings 18, the focus is primarily on the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah. It is one of the very few positive portrayals of a king in the biblical narrative as Hezekiah is portrayed as a devout follower of God who seeks to undo the unfaithful acts of his predecessors.
The chapter begins by detailing the beginning of Hezekiah’s rule, starting in the third year of the reign of Israel’s King Hoshea. Hezekiah removes the high places, breaks the sacred pillars, cuts down the wooden image, and breaks the bronze serpent. This is to signify his reforms and his eradication of idol worship in the land, as he sought to ensure the people only worshipped the one true God.
In verses 9-12, the chapter pivots to talk about the fall of Israel to Assyria which occurs because they did not heed God’s commands.
The latter part of the chapter concerns the Assyrian King Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah, starting with the siege of the fortified cities of Judah. Hezekiah tries to buy peace from Sennacherib by giving him silver and gold from the temple and his own treasures. But peace fails when the Assyrian king sends his officials to Jerusalem to demand its surrender, claiming that Hezekiah’s god cannot save them. The chapter ends without resolution, leading to the confrontation in the subsequent chapter.
Frequently asked questions for 2 Kings 18
While there could be many specific questions depending on one’s perspective and interpretation, here are a few frequently asked general questions on the 2 Kings 18:
1. Who is Hezekiah according to 2 Kings 18?
Ans: Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, was the king of Judah. He is described as a righteous and faithful king who did “what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”
2. What reforms did Hezekiah implement in Judah (2 Kings 18:4)?
Ans: Hezekiah demolished the high places, smashed sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also broke Moses’ bronze snake because the Israelites had been burning incense to it, signaling a departure from idolatry and a return to monotheism.
3. Why did the king of Assyria come to Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:13)?
Ans: The king of Assyria, Sennacherib, came to Jerusalem to attack it.
4. How did Hezekiah respond to the Assyrian threat (2 Kings 18:14-16)?
Ans: Hezekiah first attempted to placate King Sennacherib of Assyria by sending him a large amount of silver and gold, which he took from the temple and royal treasury.
5. What was the content of the letter from the Assyrian king to Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:17 onwards)?
Ans: The letter contained a mixture of taunts, threats and accusations aimed at undermining Hezekiah’s confidence and making him surrender to Sennacherib’s rule. The Assyrian king also questioned the power of Judah’s God.
6. What is Rabshekah’s role within the Assyrian government (2 Kings 18:17)?
Ans: Rabsakeh was the Chief Cupbearer, which was a high-ranking political position in the Assyrian Empire. He acted as a spokesperson for King Sennakerib during the siege of Jerusalem.
These questions and more would form a basis to further explore 2 Kings 18 and its application to issues of faith, leadership, courage, and religious reforms.
Possible References for 2 Kings 18
2 Kings 18 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible. The book of 2 Kings is a narrative of Israel’s history from the reign of Solomon until the fall of the kingdom. Here’s a brief guide to understand the references in 2 Kings 18:
1. King Hezekiah: This chapter introduces Hezekiah, king of Judah, who is noted for his faithfulness to God, unlike the kings who preceded him.
2. Destruction of High Places: Hezekiah is recognized for his religious reform, including the destruction of the ‘high places’ (worship places other than Jerusalem), the breaking of sacred pillars, and the cutting down of the Asherah (a Canaanite goddess).
3. Trust in God: There are several instances where Hezekiah puts his faith in God rather than relying on human strength or alliances. This is particularly evident when facing siege from the Assyrians.
4. Assyrian Invasion: The mention of King Sennacherib of Assyria references the time when Assyrians laid a siege on Judah.
5. Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah: These individuals are sent by Hezekiah to negotiate with the Assyrian envoy. They later report back the words of the Assyrian King to Hezekiah.
6. Rabshakeh’s Speech: Rabshakeh, the Assyrian envoy, delivers a speech to undermine the morale of the people of Judah, questioning their faith in God and in Hezekiah.
7. Hezekiah’s reliance on Egypt: The text criticizes Hezekiah’s trust in Egypt for military assistance against the Assyrians.
8. Rabshakeh’s blasphemy: Rabshakeh commits blasphemy by equating the Lord (Yahweh), the God of Israel, with the gods of the nations defeated by Assyria.
This chapter is interesting because it exhibits the themes of faith, defiance against military power, reliance on God, and a certain historical unfolding of the Israelite monarchy against the background of the larger Near-East politics and culture.
Conclusion on 2 Kings 18
2 Kings 18 primarily revolves around the reign of King Hezekiah over Judah. He was noted as a righteous king, unlike his predecessors, and his reign was characterized by religious reform. Hezekiah stamped out idolatry by removing high places, cutting down sacred poles, and smashing the bronze snake, thus bringing the nation back to the worship of God alone.
However, during his reign, Hezekiah faced a significant challenge from Sennacherib, the king of Assyria. Despite a treaty between Judah and Assyria, Sennacharib invaded Judah. To placate the invaders, Hezekiah stripped the gold from the temple and gave it to Assyria but the Assyrians did not withdraw.
The conclusion of chapter 18 sets the stage for the subsequent chapters. Despite the trouble Hezekiah finds himself in, he remained a faithful king who kept God as his guide. It underscores the threat of Assyria looming over Judah, and the great faith of Hezekiah in God. It also foreshadows the trials that Hezekiah and the kingdom of Judah will face in the upcoming chapters.