John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 32:6
And he set captains of war over the people ,.... To teach them the exercises of war, to lead them on against the enemy, to direct them where to stand, and what to do in defence of the city: and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city ; the street which led to the gate, and was large and commodious to assemble the people in: and spake comfortably to them ; to animate and encourage them to hold out the siege, and do all they could to repel the enemy; ... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 32:1-8
Here is, I. The formidable design of Sennacherib against Hezekiah's kingdom, and the vigorous attempt he made upon it. This Sennacherib was now, as Nebuchadnezzar was afterwards, the terror and scourge and great oppressor of that part of the world. He aimed to raise a boundless monarchy for himself upon the ruins of all his neighbours. His predecessor Shalmaneser had lately made himself master of the kingdom of Israel, and carried the ten tribes captives. Sennacherib thought, in like manner,... read more