2 Kings 19

2 Kings 19:1

IT came to passe when king Hezekiah heard it] Isaiah 37:1.

rent his clothes] See the notes on chap. 18. v. 37.

sackcloth] See the notes on 1 Kings 21:27.

into the house of the Lord] To make solemn prayer, and to offer sacrifice.

2 Kings 19:2

Eliakim] See the notes on chap. 18. v. 18.

Isaiah] Luke 3:4. called Esaias.

2 Kings 19:3

This day, &c.] At this time we are exceedingly mlested by the enemy, who reproacheth us, and provoketh God himself.

blasphemy] Or, provocation.

the children, &c.] A parabolicall speech, wherein he resembleth Jerusalem to a woman in travail, the inhabitants, to infants in the womb, the straitnesse of the siege, and threatning of the potent enemy, to pains of travail, the weaknesse of the Jews, to the disability of the woman in travail to help her self. The sense is this, we are brought to the extremity of danger, and are utterly unable to help our selves: Now is the time for the LORD to shew himself.

2 Kings 19:4

It may be] A phrase taken from men, when they conceal their minde in such things, as there is strong hope they will do. It is a word of good hope and confidence: as 1 Samuel 14:6. and 2 Samuel 16:12.

will hear] Will shew that he hears by confounding the devices of so proud an enemy.

reproach] By putting him in the rank of dumb, senselesse idols, chap. 18. v. 35.

reprove] By shewing how vain and false they are.

remnant] For the tn tribes were swept away: and many of the tribe of Judah, which dwelt in the cities that Sennacherib took (chap. 18. v. 13.) were destroyed.

left] Heb. found.

2 Kings 19:5

servants] Those honourable and venerable persons which are mentioned verse 2. For they were of his court. Besides, all sorts of subjects are servants to their Soveraign.

2 Kings 19:6

servants] The plurall number is here used, because many assisted Rabshakeh, and consented to his blasphemy, chap. 18. 17, 18, 19.

blasphemed] By making me no better then an idol, chap. 18. v. 35.

2 Kings 19:7

a blast] That which like the blast of a terrible tempest shall overthrow his formidable army, v. 35, 37.

a rumour] Of an enemy coming against him, as v. 9.

sword] Of his own sons, v. 37.

2 Kings 19:8

Libnah] See chap. 8. 22.

from Lachish] A strong city (chap. 14. 19.) and probable it is that Sennacherib found it too difficult a task to take it at that time: and therefore for the present went from it, as also upon the report of Tirhakah, v. 9.

2 Kings 19:9

Ethiopia] Heb. Cush.

against thee] In Sennacheribs own land. See a like instance of Gods seasonable providence, 1 Samuel 23:27.

he sent] Heb. he turned and sent.

2 Kings 19:10

Thus shall ye speak] This is the sum of the letter which Sennacherib sent to Hezekiah (v. 14.) which the messengers, by whom he sent the letter, were, at the delivery of the letter, to relate.

2 Kings 19:11

shalt thou be delivered?] This interrogation imports a strong negation.

2 Kings 19:12

nations] Other countries.

fathers] Predecessours, as his father Salmaneser (chap. 17. 3, 6.) his grand-father Tiglath-Pileser (chap. 15. 29.) his great grandfather Pul (chap. 15. 19.)

Gozan] See chap. 17. 6.

Haran] See Genesis 11:31.

Eden] Some take this for the proper name of a man. Others, for that countrey wherein the garden of God was (see on Genesis 2:8.) situate in Caldea, Ezekiel 27:23. Thus, children of Eden, are put for the inhabitants thereof, as Ezra 2:21; Ezra 2:28.

Thelasar] A fortresse.

2 Kings 19:13

Hamath, &c.] See the notes on chap. 18. 34.

2 Kings 19:14

spread it] To quicken his own spirit, and strengthen his own faith the more by sight of the writing in the letter.

before the Lord] Before the altar, which was a representation of Gods presence. So Solomon, 1 King. 8. 22, 28.

2 Kings 19:15

which dwelest, &c.] The Cherubims were placed neer the ark (1 Kings 8:7.) which was the most principall representation of Gods presence. There did God use to declare his minde (Numbers 7:89.) and thereupon is said to sit or dwell there, Psalms 80:1. The king to strengthen his faith in a gracious answer, thus sets out God: the rather because the golden Cherubims were the most glorious types under the law (1 Kin. 6. 23, &c.) and they set out the glory of God, as angels do now (Mark 8:38. see on 1 Kings 6:23.) or as heaven doth, Matthew 6:9. See on 1 Samuel 4:4. They put him also in minde of the mercy-seat, which represented the throne of Grace, Hebrews 4:16. See 1 Chron. 28. 2.

2 Kings 19:16

ow down, &c.] These phrases are spoken of God, after the manner of man, to make men better conceive Gods dealing with them.

him] Rabshakeh, Chap. 18. v. 19.

to reproach] See v. 4.

2 Kings 19:17

Of truth] This is a word whereby a truth, but such a truth as maketh nothing against the point in hand, is granted.

the nations] Which were not under the LORDS protection.

2 Kings 19:18

cast] Heb. giver.

no gods] Therefore might men have power over them.

2 Kings 19:19

therefore] Because thou art not as they: but a true God: the onely true God.

2 Kings 19:20

That which thou hast prayed] To be saved out of thy enemies hand, v. 19.

I have heard] So as I mean to grant thy desire.

2 Kings 19:21

The virgin, &c.] The state of the Jews, which is stiled virgin, because she was now incorrupt in religion: daughter of Zion and Jerusalem, because this people was brought forth and brought up in those places. See other reasons on Isaiah 47:1.

despised, &c.] Sundry phrases of derision and son, because of Gods succour afforded to the Jews, and the vain attempts of the king of Assyria.

thee] An elegant manner of turning the speech to the king of Assyria, though he were not present, to make the Jews the lesse to fear him.

2 Kings 19:22

exalted, &c.] Gestures of insolent arrogancy.

holy One] The LORD GOD, who is holy in regard of his essentiall property: holy One by an excellency and property, none like him therein: holy One of Israel, in that he hath dedicated and consecrated himself to be in a speciall manner Israels God. See Psalms 71:22. Isaiah 1:4. Ezekiel 39:7.

2 Kings 19:23

By thy] Heb. By the hand of.

messengers] Mentioned, Chap. 18. v. 17.

With the multitude, &c.] Though these very words were not uttered by the messengers, yet the sense was: which is expressed in an elegant and pertinent comparison. By mountains are meant, cities of Judah: by the height, the midst of them: by Lebanon, Jerusalem: by tall cedar-trees, and choice sirre-trees, the king, nobles, and other eminent persons: by lodgings of his borders, frontier towns: by forest of Carmel, fruitfull fields, vineyards, orchards, gardens, and such like places. Of Lebanon, see the notes on 1 Kings 5:6. Of Carmel, see the notes on 1 Kings 18:19.

the tall] Heb. the talnesse, &.

the forest] Or, the forest and his fruitfull field.

2 Kings 19:24

strange waters] Waters in places where none were before, as Numbers 21:18.

with the sole of my feet] With the treading of my numerous army I have stopped all the streams that ran into the places that stood out against me. This is a proud brag of his providing for himself, and annoying his enemies. Herein also he derides Hezekiahs diligence in stopping the waters, 2 Chronicles 32:3.

besieged] Or, fenced.

2 Kings 19:25

Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it, and of anient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to passe that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps] Or, Hast thou not heard, how I have made it long ago, and formed it of anient times? should I now bring it to be laid waste, and fenced cities to be ruinous heaps?

Hast thou not heard] The prophet changeth the person, and bringeth in God, answering the proud brags of Sennacherib.

how I have done it] God chalengeth that to be his own work, which Sennacherib arrogateth to himself. See Isai. 10. 5, 7, 13, 15.

2 Kings 19:26

Therefore] Because God gave them over.

of small power] Heb. short of hand.

the grasse] Fit comparisons, whereby the impotency and instability of those who are left of God, is set out.

2 Kings 19:27

thy abode] Or, sitting. Thy purposes, plots, and practices, Psal. 129. 2, 3.

rage against me] In that it is against my people. See Acts 9:4.

2 Kings 19:28

my hook in thy nose] As men deal with bears, and other wilde beasts.

my bridle] As men deal with sturdy steeds.

turn thee] This is accomplished, v. 36.

2 Kings 19:29

to thee] The Prophet in the name of the LORD now turns his speech to Hezekiah, and his people.

this yer] The yeer of st, Levit. 25. 4, 5.

of themselves] Being faln from the last crop, and not sown by man.

in the second yeer] Herein especially lieth the miracle, that the enemy coming upon them in the yeer wherein their land was not tilled, and hindering them from sowing the yeer after that rest, the ground brought forth fruit of it self two yeers together.

2 Kings 19:30

the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah] Heb. the escaping of the house of Judah that remaineth. See the notes on v. 4.

take root] The Jews are resembled to trees well rooted, which thereupon live, grow, flourish, and bear fruit. So shall they be established in peace, and prosper in their callings.

2 Kings 19:31

out of Jerusalem] They which were besieged and shut up in Jerusalem and Zion, shall freely, without fear, go abroad as they please. This may typically be applied to the Gospel which first went out of Jerusalem, Isaiah 2:3.

they that escape] Heb. the escaping.

the zeal] Fervent love of God to his people, and indignation against his enemies, Isaiah 9:7.

2 Kings 19:32

He shall not come] He was now going against the king of Ethiopia, v. 9. yet with a purpose to return and take Jerusalem, but here is shewed how far he should be from accomplishing his purpose. See more hereof on Isaiah 37:33.

2 Kings 19:33

By the way] He came out of his countrey, and with shame and losse he returned to his countrey, v. 36 37.

2 Kings 19:34

for my own sake] To give an evidence of my power, providence, mercy and goodnesse, Isai. 48. 9, 11. Ezekiel 36:22.

Davids sake] See the notes on 1 Kings 11:12.

2 Kings 19:35

t came to passe that night] Isaiah 37:36. Wherein they were fitting themselves to assault Jerusalem: for they had not assaulted or besieged it, v. 32.

the angel of the Lord] Such an angel as destroyed the Israelites in Davids time, 2 Samuel 24:16.

camp of the Assyrians] Which came with Rabshakeh (chap. 18. v. 17.) but had not yet made any assault: or which returned from the Ethiopians, before they had done any thing against Jerusalem, v. 32.

when they arose] Sennacherib and his attendants that were not destroyed.

all] The greater part of the army: in a manner all.

2 Kings 19:36

Ninveh] The head and royall city of Assyria. See Genesis 10:11.

2 Kings 19:37

Nisoch] The name of his idol. Adramelech. See chap. 17. 31.

smote him] As was foretold, v. 7.

Arenia] Heb. Ararat.

Esahaddn] The last of Assyrian monarchs.