2 Kings 18:18

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 18:18

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

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 18:17-37

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 18:18

And when they had called to the king — i.e; when they had announced that they had a message to deliver to the king—there came out to them; by Hezekiah's order, doubtless. Learning that they were three of Sennacherib's highest officials, he sent out to them three of the chief officers of his own court. Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household. Recently promoted to that high position, instead of Shebna, according to the prophecy ( Isaiah 22:19-22 ), and perhaps by the... read more

Albert Barnes

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

When they had called to the king - The ambassadors summoned Hezekiah, as if their rank were equal to his. Careful of his dignity, he responds by sending officers of his court.Eliakim ... which was over the household - Eliakim had been promoted to fill the place of Shebna Isaiah 22:20-22. He was a man of very high character. The comptroller of the household, whose position 1 Kings 4:6 must have been a subordinate one in the time of Solomon, appears to have now become the chief minister of the... read more

Joseph Benson

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

2 Kings 18:18. When they had called to the king That is, had sent a message to him to come and treat with them; there went out to him Eliakim, &c. Of whom see Isaiah 22:15; Isaiah 22:20. read more

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