Chapter 32

1 Sennacherib invading Judah, Hezekiah fortifieth himself, and encourageth his people. 9 Against the blasphemies of Sennacherib, by message and letters, Hezekiah and Isaiah pray. 21 An angel destroyeth the host of the Assyrians, to the glory of Hezekiah. 24 Hezekiah praying in his sickness, God giveth him a sign of recovery. 25 He waxing proud is humbled by God. 27 His wealth and works. 31 His error in the ambassage of Babylon. 32 He dying, Manasseh succeedeth him.

1. Sennacherib king of Assyria. This chapter is parallel for the most part with 2 Kings 18:13 to 20:21, and with Isa. 36 to 39. Verses 2 to 8, describing Hezekiah’s preparations for defense, are almost entirely supplementary.

Thought to win them. Sennacherib largely succeeded in accomplishing his purpose (2 Kings 18:13). In his annals he claims to have taken 46 of the fenced, or walled, cities of Judah and to have carried away captive 200,150 people, besides a large amount of booty. This campaign was in the 14th year of Hezekiah’s sole reign (not of his probable coregency). The year was 701 b.c., according to the generally accepted dating of Sennacherib’s record. On the question as to whether the narrative of this chapter describes one campaign or two, see on 2 Kings 18:13.

2. Against Jerusalem. Sennacherib purposed to come against Jerusalem, but he was bought off for the time being by tribute (see on 2 Kings 18:14–16). It is noteworthy that in his record of the campaign Sennacherib does not claim that he captured Jerusalem.

3. Took counsel. The object was to discuss plans for the strengthening of the city against a later attack. Certainly all the preparations made by Hezekiah could hardly have been effected during the course of one summer’s campaign by Sennacherib against Judah. Evidently these were long-range measures to strengthen the nation’s defenses for a future assault.

To stop the waters. Hezekiah had in mind a double purpose—he proposed to cover the springs outside the city so that the Assyrians would not have a convenient water supply, and to convey the water through a tunnel into the city to increase his own supply during the siege (2 Chron. 32:30; see on 2 Kings 20:20).

4. All the fountains. The principal spring that Hezekiah stopped was the Gihon (v. 30), the present Virgin’s Spring, on the south slope of the hill on which the Temple was built. It was in a cave outside the city wall, and its waters originally flowed into the Kidron Valley, where it would have been a source of supply to the Assyrian invaders. The Jebusites, before the capture of Jerusalem by David, had cut a conduit, bringing the waters from the spring to a place where the supply could be reached through a shaft from within the city (see 2 Sam. 5:8). Later an aqueduct let this water into the Old, or Lower, Pool (Isa. 22:9, 11). Hezekiah made a new aqueduct, the Siloam tunnel (see 2 Chron. 32:30; see on 2 Kings 20:20), that carried the waters to a new reservoir, the Pool of Siloam (see Neh. 3:15; John 9:7), and probably built a new wall that placed the new pool inside the city (see on v. 5). Thus the fountains outside the city were diverted for use within the walls.

5. The wall that was broken. Isa. 22:9, 10 mentions many breaches in the wall of the City of David, which were repaired by breaking down houses and using the materials to strengthen the wall.

Another wall without. This was probably an additional wall outside the aqueduct and the City of David, that enclosed the Pool of Siloam. Isa. 22:11 mentions the “ditch between the two walls.”

Millo. The exact nature of Millo is not known, but it must have been a part of the fortifications of Jerusalem, probably a particularly strong place of defense within the ancient city (see 2 Sam. 5:9; 1 Kings 9:15, 24; 11:27).

Darts. Heb. shelach, “something let loose,” or “something sent.” The term may properly mean any weapon that is cast, whether “darts,” spears, or other missiles.

6. Street. Heb. rechob, “an open place,” hence the open place before the gate (see on ch. 29:4).

Spake comfortably to them. Literally, “he spoke to their hearts.”

7. Be strong and courageous. Having done all that human power could do to strengthen the defenses of the city, Hezekiah encouraged the people to place their trust in God. Regardless of the power of the enemy, the man who trusts and reveres the Lord always has reason for courage, for the battle is not his but God’s (see ch. 20:15).

There be more with us. Compare 2 Kings 6:16.

8. With us is the Lord. Compare Isa. 14:24–27; 40:9–17, 28–31.

9. Send his servants. Compare 2 Kings 18:17. The previous submission of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:14–16) is not mentioned in Chronicles.

10. Thus saith Sennacherib. Compare 2 Kings 18:17–21. The account in Kings is more detailed.

12. His high places. Compare 2 Kings 18:22. The Assyrians had a wrong impression of the nature of Hezekiah’s reform, for it was the altars, not of Jehovah, but of the heathen gods introduced by Ahaz, that were taken away by Hezekiah (see chs. 28:23, 25; 31:1); and the high places, even though used for the worship of Jehovah, were at least semipagan.

13. Know ye not? The interesting details of 2 Kings 18:23–32 are not mentioned in Chronicles. Instead, the record comes directly to the point where the envoys endeavor to establish the claim of Assyrian invincibility by pointing to their past successes and the inability of the gods of other nations to help them against Assyrian might (see 2 Kings 18:33, 34).

14. Among all the gods. Compare 2 Kings 18:35.

15. Deceive you. This passage continues the argument of 2 Kings 18:29, 30. A similar argument is also found in 2 Kings 19:10–13.

17. Letters to rail. This refers to the message sent by Sennacherib when the envoys had returned to Libnah after leaving Lachish, and the word had come of the approach of the Egyptian armies under Tirhakah to aid Hezekiah (see on 2 Kings 19:8–14).

18. Jews’ speech. After having mentioned the letter sent by the envoys on their second trip to Jerusalem, the chronicler now either returns to an incident that occurred early in the first visit (2 Kings 18:28), which he gives in a greatly abbreviated form, or mentions a second propaganda attempt “to affright them, and to trouble” the people.

20. The prophet Isaiah. After the first attempt of the Assyrian envoys to discourage the people of Jerusalem, Hezekiah had sent a message to Isaiah urging him to pray to the Lord, and had received from the prophet the answer that the Lord would send a blast upon Sennacherib and cause him to return to his land (2 Kings 19:1–7). Then after the return of Rabshakeh to Sennacherib at Libnah, the envoys made their second visit (2 Kings 19:9–14), with further taunting messages from Sennacherib. Hezekiah took the letter into the Temple and earnestly besought the Lord for help, whereupon he received word from Isaiah that his prayer had been heard, that God would defend the city for David’s sake, and that Sennacherib would return home without laying siege to Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:14–34).

21. Sent an angel. Compare 2 Kings 19:35, 36 and Isa. 37:36, 37, which are parallel accounts of the destruction of the Assyrian hosts and of the departure of Sennacherib from Judea for Assyria.

Slew him. According to 2 Kings 19:37 and Isa. 37:38, Sennacherib was slain by his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer, who thereupon fled into Armenia. Sennacherib’s death took place in 681 b.c., according to the chronology based on the Assyrian records.

24. In those days. Compare 2 Kings 20:1–11 and Isa. 38. This was 15 years (2 Kings 20:6) before the end of his 29-year reign (2 Kings 18:2). Therefore it was in the 15th year of Hezekiah’s reign, if the 15 additional years were counted inclusively, as was commonly done; otherwise it was in his 14th year, the year when Sennacherib came against the fenced cities of Judah (2 Kings 18:13).

A sign. This sign consisted of the recession of the shadow on the sundial (2 Kings 20:8–11).

25. Was lifted up. For the account of Hezekiah’s pride on the occasion of the visit of the Babylonian envoys and the expression of the Lord’s displeasure, see 2 Kings 20:12–19 and Isa. 39.

26. Came not. Upon receiving Isaiah’s rebuke, Hezekiah humbled himself and accepted the will of the Lord. This repentance is not recorded in Kings or Isaiah, but the consequent deferment of the sentence that had been pronounced is recorded, together with Hezekiah’s grateful response (2 Kings 20:19; Isa. 39:8). As a result of Hezekiah’s repentance the blow from Babylon did not fall till the days of Nebuchadnezzar, a century later.

27. Riches and honour. Compare 2 Kings 20:13 and Isa. 39:2.

28. Corn, and wine, and oil. These are repeatedly mentioned together as the outstanding fruitage of the land and the tokens of the blessings of Heaven (2 Chron. 31:5; Num. 18:12; Deut. 7:13; Neh. 5:11; Jer. 31:12; etc.; cf. Rev. 6:6).

29. For God had given. God gives men power to get wealth and opens His bountiful hand that they may share of His treasures (see Gen. 24:35; 1 Chron. 29:12; Job 42:12; Prov. 10:22).

30. Stopped the upper watercourse. See 2 Chron. 32:4 and 2 Kings 20:20.

31. The ambassadors. Compare 2 Kings 20:11–13; Isa. 39:1, 2.

To enquire of the wonder that was done. The recession of the shadow on the sundial (2 Kings 20:11; Isa. 38:8) was a matter of special interest to the astrologers and astronomers of Babylonia and must have been a subject of special inquiry on the part of the envoys. The occurrence of this miracle presented Hezekiah with an unusual opportunity to bear witness to the power and goodness of God. If Hezekiah had been faithful and had told the representatives from Merodach-baladan exactly how this incident had taken place, and how God had performed a miracle both of healing and of nature, these men could have gone back to Babylonia with a message that would have acquainted many in that idolatrous land with the true nature of God. The way would thus have been opened for bringing many to the knowledge and worship of the God who made heaven and earth.

To try him. The test was not for God’s information but for Hezekiah’s benefit. The pride that led to the king’s failure had already taken root in his heart, and if unchecked, would have led to his ruin. In mercy God permitted circumstances to arise that revealed to Hezekiah the true condition of his heart. The experience illustrates God’s manner of working in the development of human character. Men are often not aware of the defects of their natures. Only when they are confronted with various tests do these weaknesses become apparent.

If a test accomplishes its purpose, so that the soul is duly “exercised” (Heb. 12:11), no further test upon that particular point may be necessary. If the soul rebels under the rebuke, further tests and trials may be sent, until either reformation results or the case is abandoned as hopeless (Hosea 4:17). The Christian may thus take courage in trial. The fact that he is called upon to endure trial proves that the Lord sees in him something precious that He is seeking to develop. If there was nothing in him that might glorify God’s name, He would not spend time in refining him (see 7T 214). Compare Job 23:10.

32. Vision of Isaiah. This was the title given by the prophet Isaiah to his prophecy (Isa. 1:1).

33. Chiefest. Heb. maФaleh, “a going up,” “an ascent” (Num. 34:4), the meaning of which is not entirely clear. It may refer to an upper location, so that Hezekiah was buried in a higher part of the royal tombs, above the sepulchers of the kings who had preceded him upon the throne of Judah.

Ellen G. White comments

1-25PP 45-51

1 DA 769

1-3GC 455; PK 180; PP 47, 336; 9T 212

2 GC 453; ML 140

2, 3 EW 217; GC 52; MM 215; PP 111; SR 145; 8T 197

3 DA 281; MB 99; 4T 147, 247

4 PP 112

6 PP 96; SR 66

7 MH 415; PP 56; 2T 300; 8T 264

8 AH 27; ML 136; PP 46; SR 58; 3T 77, 153

8, 9 Ed 20

8-17MYP 364

9 AH 27; Ed 23; PP 47, 48, 84; 6T 368; 8T 288

15 AH 27; CD 396; CT 147; Ed 21; FE 314, 327, 419, 512; LS 355;MH 261; ML 112; PP 47, 50; SR 24; 1T 568; 3T 77, 153; 4T 410

16 3T 50

16, 17 CH 108; Ed 23; 3T 72; 4T 11

17 CS 65; CT 12; EW 125, 147; GC 532; MH 449; PP 48, 53, 60; SR 24; 2T 561; 5T 365; 6T 386

18 AH 25; PP 56

18-20PP 46

19, 20 PP 51

21-23PP 56

22 AH 99; 3T 484

23 MB 99

23-25COL 310; FE 141

24 AH 25, 341; MB 99; PP 46

25 PP 445; SR 38