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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

Adam Clarke

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

Called to the king - They wished him to come out that they might get possession of his person. Eliakim - over the household - What we would call lord chamberlain. Shebna the scribe - The king's secretary. Joah - the recorder - The writer of the public annals. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 18:19

What confidence is this - הזה הבטחן מה ma habbittachon hazzeh . The words are excessively insulting: What little, foolish, or unavailing cause of confidence is it, to which thou trustest? I translate thus, because I consider the word בטחון bittachon as a diminutive, intended to express the utmost contempt for Hezekiah's God. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 18:21

The staff of this bruised reed - Egypt had already been greatly bruised and broken, through the wars carried on against it by the Assyrians. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 18:22

Whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away - This was artfully malicious. Many of the people sacrificed to Jehovah on the high places; Hezekiah had removed them, ( 2 Kings 18:4 ;), because they were incentives to idolatry: Rab-shakeh insinuates that by so doing he had offended Jehovah, deprived the people of their religious rights, and he could neither expect the blessing of God nor the cooperation of the people. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 18:23

I will deliver thee two thousand horses - Another insult: Were I to give thee two thousand Assyrian horses, thou couldst not find riders for them. How then canst thou think that thou shalt be able to stand against even the smallest division of my troops? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 18:25

Am I now come up without the Lord - As Rab-shakeh saw that the Jews placed the utmost confidence in God, he wished to persuade them that by Hezekiah's conduct Jehovah had departed from them, and was become ally to the king of Assyria, and therefore they could not expect any help from that quarter. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 18:26

Talk not with us in the Jews ' language - The object of this blasphemous caitiff was to stir up the people to sedition, that the city and the king might be delivered into his hand. read more

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