Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 32

Verses 1-33

One is almost inevitably halted by the opening statement of the chapter. "After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came." It would seem to be a strange answer of God to the faithfulness of His child, that a strong foe should at this moment invade the kingdom; and yet how often the experience of the people of God is of this nature. Happy was Hezekiah in that in the presence of the peril his heart did not fail. He took immediate action to embarrass the foe by stopping the supply of water, strengthening the fortifications, mobilizing his army, and, finally, by assuring the people, "There is a greater with us than with him."

This attitude of faith was answered by Sennacherib with terrible insults, terrible because they were direct blasphemies against the name of God. At these utterances, more terrible to bear than the fighting without the gates, the king sought refuge in prayer in fellowship with the prophet Isaiah. The answer was quick and final- rout of the enemy and salvation of the people.

The chronicler then briefly relates the story of Hezekiah's illness, and of that failure which characterized his last days. The story is more fully told elsewhere. Notwithstanding the lapses of the latter days, the reign was most remarkable, especially when it is remembered how fearful was the condition into which the nation had come at this time.