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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 18:17-37

Here is, I. Jerusalem besieged by Sennacherib's army, 2 Kgs. 18:17. He sent three of his great generals with a great host against Jerusalem. Isa. this the great king, the king of Assyria? No, never call him so; he is a base, false, perfidious man, and worthy to be made infamous to all ages; let him never be named with honour that could do such a dishonourable thing as this, to take Hezekiah's money, which he gave him upon condition he should withdraw his army, and then, instead of quitting his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 18:17-37

And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris, and Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem ,.... Notwithstanding he took the above large sum of money of him, so false and deceitful was he: these were three generals of his army, whom he sent to besiege Jerusalem, while he continued the siege of Lachish; only Rabshakeh is mentioned in Isaiah 36:2 he being perhaps chief general, and the principal speaker; whose speech, to the end of this chapter,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 18:17

The king of Assyria sent Tartan , etc. - Calmet has very justly remarked that these are not the names of persons, but of offices. Tartan, תרתן tartan or tantan , as in the parallel place in Isaiah, in the Greek version, signifies he who presides over the gifts or tribute; chancellor of the exchequer. Rabsaris - סריס רב , the chief of the eunuchs. Rab-shakeh, שקה רב master or chief over the wine cellar; or he who had the care of the king's drink. From Lachish -... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 18:1-37

A striking reformation, a ruthless despotism, and an unprincipled diplomacy. "How it came to pass," etc. Amongst the incidents recorded and the characters mentioned in this chapter, there stand out in great prominence three subjects for practical contemplation: The many strange and somewhat revolting historic events that make up the bulk of this chapter will come out in the discussion of these three subjects. I. A STRIKING REFORMATION . Hezekiah, who was now King of Judah, and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 18:13-17

The danger of trusting to a purchased peace. I. IN THE HISTORY OF NATIONS a purchased peace is seldom more enduring or more trustworthy than this peace which Hezekiah bought of Sennacherib. Once successful in extorting money by threats, why should an enemy refrain from repeating the process? Why should he stop till he has squeezed the sponge dry, and there is no more to be got from his victim? Even then, why should he not step in and execute his original threat of destruction and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 18:13-17

Sennacherib's first assault. We enter in this passage on the consideration of one of the most memorable crises Judah ever passed through. The Assyrian, the rod of God's anger ( Isaiah 10:4 ), hung over Jerusalem, showing how near destruction it was if God did not interpose. A mighty deliverance was vouchsafed, showing how inviolable was its security if only fleshly confidence was renounced, and the people put their trust in the living God. I. SENNACHERIB 'S EARLY SUCCESSES : ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 18:17

And the King of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. Sennacherib appears, by his great inscription, to have returned to Nineveh, with his Judaean captives (more than two hundred thousand in number) and his rich booty, towards the close of the year B.C. 701. In the following year he was called into Babylonia, where troubles had broken out, and Hezekiah, left to himself, seems to have made up his mind to revolt, and ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 18:17-37

SECOND EXPEDITION OF SENNACHERIB . This section and 2 Kings 19:1-37 . form one continuous narrative, which can only have been divided on account of its great length (fifty-eight verses). The subject is one throughout, viz. Sennacherib's second expedition against Hezekiah. The narrative flows on without a break. It consists of read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 18:17-37

The tempter and his methods: Rabshakeh's address to the leaders and people of Jerusalem. Hezekiah's gift to the King of Assyria had not saved him. The weakness he showed was rather an encouragement to Sennacherib to continue his attacks upon Judaea. And now a detachment of Sennacherib's army, headed by three officers of rank, comes up to Jerusalem. Their first effort is to induce the people of Jerusalem to surrender. Rabshakeh is the spokesman. His speech is like the speech of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 18:17-37

Rabshakeh's boastings. From Lachish Sennacherib sent an army to Jerusalem, and with it some of his highest officers, the Tartan, Rabsaris, and Rabshakeh. Taking their stand by "the conduit of the upper pool," where they could be heard from the walls, they called for the king to come to them. Hezekiah did not come, but sent three envoys, Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah, to whom Rabshakeh, the orator of the party, addressed himself. His speech is a very skilful one from his own point of view, and... read more

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