2 Kings 19:17 - Exposition

Of a truth, Lord, the kings of Assyria — i.e. Sennacherib, and his predecessors—the long line of monarchs who have sat on the Assyrian throne for many past ages— have destroyed the nations and their lands ; rather, have laid waste , as in the parallel passage of Isaiah ( Isaiah 37:18 ). "Destroyed" is too strong a word. Hezekiah fully admits the boast of the Assyrian monarch, that he and his predecessors have had a wonderful career of success (comp. Isaiah 10:5-14 ); but he refuses to regard this past success as ensuring success in the future. All is in the hand of God, and will be determined as God pleases. It is not an iron necessity that rules the world, but a personal will, and this well may be affected by prayer, to which (verse 19) he therefore has recourse.