THE BOOK OF 2 KINGS

Chapters 18 – 20

Teacher: Jerry D. Sturgill, Flatwoods church of Christ, Sunday Bible Class, April 2007

With the close of chapter 17, the Northern Kingdom (Israel) has gone into Assyrian captivity (abt. 722 BC). Although individuals from the 10 tribes will eventually return to Judah, Israel as a nation will not exist again (see Ezra 6:17; Luke 2:36). The remainder of the book concerns the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

THE REIGN OF KING HEZEKIAH, Chapters 18 – 20

I. THE REIGN OF HEZEKIAH & INVASION OF SENNACHERIB, chapter 18.

  1. Hezekiah’s Reign Over Judah Begins In The 3rd Year of Hoshea, vs. 1.
  1. He Reigned 29 Years and Was A Good King, vv. 2-8. (cf. 2 Chronicles 29-31)
  2. Places of idolatry removed, vs. 4.Cf. 2 Chronicles 31:1

a)“Nehushtan” – A thing of brass (ASV footnote)

  1. Destruction of IsraelRepeated, vv. 9-12.
  1. Judah Invaded By Sennacherib, King of Assyria, vv. 13-16
  2. These events occur 8 years after Israel is taken captive, vs. 13.Cf. vs. 10.
  3. “I have offended” – I have done wrong (ESV). Cf. 2 Chronicles 32:1-8
  1. Surrender of Jerusalem Demanded by Sennacherib, vv. 17-37
  2. Assyrian officers sent to Judah, vv. 17-18.

a)Titles of officers: Tartan (Assyrian General), Rabsaris (Chief Eunuch), Rabshakeh (Chief Cup Bearer).

b)“conduit” – Watercourse to bring water into the city. Cf. 20:20.

  1. Rabshakeh’s speech contains lies (vv. 22, 25), insults (vs. 23, 24), threats (vs. 27), intimidation (vv. 29, 30), bribery (vv. 31, 32).
  2. The people answered not a word, vs. 36.
  3. Representatives of Judah return to the Hezekiah in great distress (clothes rent), vs. 37

II. HEZEKIAH TURNS TO JEHOVAH; SENNACHERIB’S DEFEAT, chapter 19.

  1. Hezekiah Seeks God’s Help Through The Prophet, vv. 1-7.
  1. First mention of the prophet Isaiah, vs. 2.
  1. Sennacherib Sends A Letter Trying To Force Hezekiah’s Surrender, vv. 8-13.
  1. Again we see Sennacherib’s attempt at intimidation (vs. 10) and boasting:

a)We have conquered all – vs.11

b)Their gods could not protect them – vs. 12

c)Where are their kings now? – vs. 13.

  1. Hezekiah Seeks God’s Help Through Prayer, vv. 14-19.
  1. The nations defeated by Assyria had gods that “were no gods” (vs. 18).
  2. Show the world that Jehovah is the only true God by sparing Judah (vs. 19).
  1. Jehovah’s Answer, Sennacherib’s Defeat Predicted, vv. 20-34.
  1. Jehovah’s Promises Fulfilled, vv. 35-37.
  1. The prophecy of vs. 7 fulfilled:

a)The “blast” – vs. 35.

b)The “rumor” – vs. 36.

c)Sennacherib’s death – vs. 37.

III. HEZEKIAH’S ILLNESS, PRIDE & DEATH, chapter 20.

  1. Hezekiah Becomes Sick To The Point Of Death, vv, 1-11.
  1. In those days – Before the destruction of the Assyrian army, vs. 1. Cf. vs. 6.
  2. Hezekiah’s prayer – He had been faithful, vs. 3.
  3. The Lord hears his prayer and will add 15 years to his days, vv. 4-7.
  4. Miraculous assurance of fulfillment of promise. God brought the shadow ten degrees backward (40 minutes – JDS), by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz, vs. 11.
  1. Hezekiah’s Vanity, vv. 12-19.
  1. God here is testing Hezekiah; Cf. 2 Chronicle 32:31.
  2. Hezekiah holds an “open house”, vv. 12-13.
  3. Here we see the pride of Hezekiah, Cf. 2 Chronicles 32:25.
  4. Isaiah sets forth the word of the Lord, Babylonian captivity is coming to Judah, vv. 16-19.
  1. The Death of Hezekiah, vv. 20-21.