See Monday, Aug. 31, 2026 for the explanation of this 2-week limited series in 2 Kings.
2 Kings 19 Chapter Summary
Breakdown:
1-4 Hezekiah calls a prayer meeting
5-7 The Lord answers through Isaiah
8-9 Rabshekah is distracted by other empire business
10-14 Rabshakeh says not to trust in God, because Assyria has overcome all other gods
15-19 Hezekiah prays that all the kingdoms may know that Yahweh is God alone 20-21 The Lord responds to the prayer through Isaiah
22-24 Israel laughs at the empty boasts of Rabshakeh
25-26 Rabshakeh doesn’t acknowledge that God made him and used him
27-28 God will put a leash on Rabshakeh and turn him home
29-31 Siege notwithstanding, Judah will have enough to eat, and those the Assyrians took captive will return and thrive
32-34 The Lord will defend the city
35-37 The angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, and Sennacherib’s sons killed him
Comparisons/Parallels:
- Isaiah tells Hezeiah not to be afraid of the Assyrians’ blasphemous words, v. 6. Jesus tells us not to fear the enemy that comes against the Lord.
- People have been overcome because of trusting in false gods, v. 18. Jesus overcomes sin and death.
- The people’s idols are of wood and stone, v. 18. Jesus created every living thing.
- Hezekiah prays for deliverance and to make God known, v. 19. Jesus delivers His people from sin, transforms them to make Him known.
- Sin has made us captives and unfruitful, v. 30. Jesus frees the captives and makes them fruitful.
- The King of Assyria will not enter the city, v. 32. The Devil will have no place in the Eternal City.
- The angel of the Lord killed 185,000 of the Assyrians, v. 35. At His resurrection, the Lord disarmed all demonic foes, Col. 2:15. The Lord will wipe out all who come against His people in Rev. 20:9.
Meaning:
Jerusalem was besieged by the Assyrians, an empire mightier than itself, in human terms. Many cities in the north had already been captured, and over 200,000 were carried away into foreign lands. When Hezekiah prayed about the menace, the Lord encouraged him, saying that He heard his prayer, v. 20. The Assyrians will be driven away, v. 28. He will defend the city, v. 34, for His sake and David’s sake. He remembers His covenant and is faithful.
Application:
Memory Verse:
