2 Kings 18:13-37 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 18:9-16

The kingdom of Assyria had now grown considerable, though we never read of it till the last reign. Such changes there are in the affairs of nations and families: those that have been despicable become formidable, and those, on the contrary, are brought low that have made a great noise and figure. We have here an account, I. Of the success of Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, against Israel, his besieging Samaria (2 Kgs. 18:9), taking it (2 Kgs. 18:10), and carrying the people into captivity (2... read more

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 18:13

Now in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah ,.... Eight years after the captivity of Israel: did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them ; many of them, the frontier towns, and proceeded as far as Lachish; ambitious of enlarging his dominions, his father having subdued the kingdom of Israel, and being also provoked by Hezekiah's refusing to pay him tribute. Mention is made of this king by name, by Herodotus and other Heathen writers, see... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 18:14

And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish ,.... A city in the tribe of Judah, about twenty miles from Jerusalem, towards the southwest F17 Bunting's Travels, &c.; p. 99. ; which the king of Assyria was now besieging, 2 Chronicles 32:9 at first Hezekiah made provision to defend himself, and encouraged his people not to be afraid of the king of Assyria, 2 Chronicles 32:1 , but understanding he had taken his fortified cities, and made such progress with his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 18:15

And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king's house. To make up the three hundred talents of silver, for which purpose he exhausted both, which had been done more than once before by the kings of Judah; these were their resources in times of distress; see 2 Kings 12:18 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 18:16

At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the Lord ,.... The plates of gold with which they were covered; or scraped off the gold from them, as the Targum interprets it: and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid : or the posts, as the Targum, the lintel or side posts of the doors of the temple; which though covered in Solomon's time, the gold was worn off, or had been taken off by Ahaz, but was renewed by Hezekiah; and who, in this... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 18:9-16

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 18:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 18:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 18:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 18:16

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

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

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

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

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