Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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2 Kings
Book: 2 Kings
Chapter: 19
Overview:
Hezekiah receives an answer of peace.
(1-7) Sennacherib's
Letter.
(8-19) His fall is prophesied.
(20-34) The Assyrian
Army
destroyed,
Sennacherib slain.
(35-37)
1-7 Hezekiah discovered
Deep concern at the dishonour done to
God By Rabshakeh's
Blasphemy. Those who speak from
God to us, we
should in a particular manner desire to speak to
God for us. The
great
Prophet is the great Intercessor. Those are likely to
prevail with
God, who lift up their hearts in
Prayer.
Man's
extremity is
God's opportunity. While his servants can speak
nothing but terror to the profane, the proud, and the
hypocritical, they have comfortable words for the discouraged
believer.
8-19 Prayer is the never-failing resource of the tempted
Christian, whether struggling with outward difficulties or
inward foes. At the
Mercy-seat of his almighty Friend he opens
his
Heart, spreads his case, like
Hezekiah, and makes his
Appeal. When he can discern that the
Glory of
God is engaged
On
his side,
Faith gains the victory, and he rejoices that he shall
never be moved. The best pleas in
Prayer are taken from
God's
honour.
20-34 All
Sennacherib's motions were under the Divine
cognizance.
God himself undertakes to defend the
City; and that
person, that place, cannot but be safe, which he undertakes to
protect. The invasion of the Assyrians probably had prevented
the land from being sown that
Year. The next is supposed to have
been the sabbatical
Year, but the
Lord engaged that the produce
of the land should be sufficient for their support during those
two years. As the performance of this promise was to be after
the
Destruction of
Sennacherib's
Army, it was a sign to
Hezekiah's
Faith, assuring him of that present deliverance, as
an
Earnest of the
Lord's future care of the
Kingdom of Judah.
This the
Lord would perform, not for their
Righteousness, but
his own
Glory. May our hearts be as good ground, that his
Word
may strike root therein, and bring forth
Fruit in our lives.
35-37 That night which followed the sending of this message to
Hezekiah, the main body of their
Army was slain. See how weak
the mightiest men are before Almighty
God. Who ever hardened
himself against Him and prospered? The
King of
Assyria's own
sons became his murderers. Those whose children are undutiful,
ought to consider whether they have not been
So to their
Father
in
Heaven? This history exhibits a strong proof of the good of
firm trust and confidence in
God. He will afflict, but not
forsake his people. It is
Well when our troubles drive us to our
knees. But does it not reprove our unbelief? How unwilling are
we to
Rest On the declaration of
Jehovah! How desirous to know
in what way he will save us! How impatient when relief is
delayed! But we must wait for the fulfilling of his
Word.
Lord,
help our unbelief.