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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 18:31

Make an agreement ... - Rather, “Make peace with me.” The word, which primarily means “blessing,” and secondarily “a gift,” has also the meaning, though more rarely, of “peace.” Probably it acquired this meaning from the fact that a peace was commonly purchased by presents.eat ... drink - A picture of a time of quiet and prosperity, a time when each man might enjoy the fruits of his land, without any fear of the spoiler’s violence. The words are in contrast with the latter part of 2 Kings... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 18:22

2 Kings 18:22. But if ye say, We trust in the Lord His weak arguing here proceeds from his ignorance of that God in whom Hezekiah trusted, and of his law. Is not that he whose high places, &c., Hezekiah hath taken away? Thereby robbing him of that worship and service which he had in those places. Thus he speaks boldly of those things which he understood not, calling that a crime which was a great virtue, and judging of the great God by their false and petty gods, and of God’s worship... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 18:23-24

2 Kings 18:23-24. Now, therefore, give pledges to my lord the king That is, give hostages to ensure thy future obedience and subjection. And I will deliver thee two thousand horses, &c. There is so little likelihood of thy being able to withstand the power of my master, who has thousands of chariots and horses, that I challenge thee to produce two thousand skilful horsemen that know how to manage horses, and I will give thee two thousand horses for them. How then wilt thou turn away... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 18:25

2 Kings 18:25. Am I now come up without the Lord? Without his consent and commission? The Lord hath said unto me, Go up against this land They were vain, boasting words, without any foundation for them. He neither owned God’s word, nor regarded his providence; but he forged this to strike a terror into Hezekiah and the people. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 18:26

2 Kings 18:26. Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language It is probable Eliakim perceived the people to be terrified with his big words, and therefore requested him, in the name of the other commissioners sent to treat with him, to speak no longer in the Jews’ language, but in his own: for he was sent, not to treat with the people, but with them, who understood the Syrian tongue very well. In the ears of the people that are upon the wall Upon which these officers stood;... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 18:27-29

2 Kings 18:27-29. Hath he not sent me to the men, &c. To tell them to what extremity and misery he will force them. Then Rab-shakeh cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language That he might affright the people into a compliance with his proposal, which he perceived that Eliakim and his brethren endeavoured to prevent. Thus saith the king, &c. Here he proclaims again, with the greatest assurance, the power of his king, and the weakness of Hezekiah; representing from thence, how... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 18:30-31

2 Kings 18:30-31. Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord This was high presumption indeed, to endeavour to persuade them not to place their confidence in God, as if his master were stronger than God. Make an agreement with me by a present To redeem yourselves from all the calamities of a close siege, and from that death and destruction which will certainly follow on them: or, according to the marginal reading, make with me a blessing, that is, a blessed peace, whereby you may... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Kings 18:32

2 Kings 18:32. Until I take you away to a land like your own That is, a fruitful and pleasant land. Because he could not conceal from them his intentions of transplanting them into another land, having already discovered these intentions in his dealing with the Israelites and other nations; he assures them they should be no losers by it, and should only change their place, but not their condition and comforts, which they should enjoy in that land no less than in their own. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 18:13-37

Freed from Assyrian power (18:13-19:37)When news reached Hezekiah that the Assyrian army, under the new king Sennacherib, was heading for Jerusalem, he quickly prepared the defences of the city. He also cut off any water supply outside the city that might be of help to the besieging armies. Above all, he encouraged his troops to trust in God for victory (13; 2 Chronicles 32:1-8). But, on seeing the strength of the siege, Hezekiah began to repent of his rebellion and offered to pay whatever... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Kings 18:22

if ye say. Isaiah 36:7 . If thou say. Spoken to one, but meant for all. read more

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