2 Chronicles 32:1-23

4. The invasion by Sennacherib 32:1-23

In a few details this account differs from the one in 2 Kings 18-20 and Isaiah 36-37. It was after Hezekiah’s acts of faithfulness that God tested his trust (2 Chronicles 32:1). Many of Judah’s other good kings had followed God faithfully, only to abandon faith in Him later in life as a result of pride (e.g., Solomon, Uzziah, et al.). In this respect, Hezekiah failed too (2 Chronicles 32:25).

Hezekiah’s preparations for Sennacherib’s siege did not indicate reliance on the flesh rather than on God, as his praying shows. They were simply wise defensive measures (2 Chronicles 32:1-8).

"It is no denial of one’s trust in God if one makes certain precautionary preparations. ’Pray to God and keep your powder dry’ is a wise response in the face of danger at any time." [Note: Ibid., p. 361.]

The real difference between the two armies was that while both had a measure of physical strength, Israel possessed an additional spiritual resource (2 Chronicles 32:8). This is a difference between a Christian and a non-Christian too.

Sennacherib’s fatal mistake was that he regarded Yahweh as only one of many idols (2 Chronicles 32:19). This was his undoing. God not only granted a miraculous deliverance to Jerusalem because of Hezekiah’s reliance on Him, but many nations brought gifts to the king and to Yahweh (2 Chronicles 32:21-23).