2 Kings 18:9-12 - Exposition

THE PUNISHMENT OF SAMARIA FOR DISOBEDIENCE . In contrast with Hezekiah's piety and consequent prosperity, the author places the disobedience ( 2 Kings 18:12 ) and consequent extinction of the sister kingdom ( 2 Kings 18:9-11 ), which Belonged to Hezekiah's earlier years, and was an event of the greatest importance to him, since it made his dominions conterminous with those of Assyria, and exposed his northern frontier to attack at any moment from the Assyrian forces. According to all probable human calculation, the fall of Samaria should have been followed at once by an attack on Judaea; and but for the change of dynasty, and troubles on all sides which ensued thereupon, this would naturally have taken place. As it was, Judaea was allowed a Breathing-space, during which she strengthened her power in Philistia (see the comment on the preceding verse), and otherwise prepared herself to resist attack (see 2 Chronicles 33:3-6 ; Isaiah 22:8-11 ).