Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 18

Introduction

Overview

2 Kings 18:1, Hezekiah’s good reign; 2 Kings 18:4, He destroys idolatry, and prospers; 2 Kings 18:9, The inhabitants of Samaria are carried captive for their sins; 2 Kings 18:13, Sennacherib invading Judah, is pacified by a tribute; 2 Kings 18:17, Rab-shakeh, by blasphemous persuasions, solicits the people to revolt.

Verse 1

am 3278, bc 726

in the third: 2 Kings 18:9, 2 Kings 15:30, 2 Kings 17:1

Hezekiah: 2 Kings 16:20, 1 Chronicles 3:13, 2 Chronicles 28:27, 2 Chronicles 29:1, Matthew 1:9, Matthew 1:10, Ezekias

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 32:32 - in the book Psalms 80:13 - The boar Isaiah 7:17 - bring upon Jeremiah 3:12 - toward the north Hosea 1:1 - Uzziah

Verse 2

Twenty and five years old: As Ahaz was 20 years old when he began to reign, and died when he had reigned 16 years, his whole age only amounted to 36 years; and as Hezekiah was, at least, entering on his 25th year when he began to reign, then Ahaz must have been under 12 years of age when his son was born! This is not at all impossible, and there are well-attested facts of men having children at as early a period, especially in eastern countries., am 3278-3306, bc 726-698

Abi: 2 Chronicles 29:1, Abijah

Reciprocal: Isaiah 8:2 - Uriah

Verse 3

right in the sight: 2 Kings 20:3, Exodus 15:26, Deuteronomy 6:18, 2 Chronicles 31:20, 2 Chronicles 31:21, Job 33:27, Psalms 119:128, Romans 7:12, Ephesians 6:1

according: 2 Kings 22:2, 1 Kings 3:14, 1 Kings 11:4, 1 Kings 11:38, 1 Kings 15:5, 1 Kings 15:11, 2 Chronicles 29:2

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 16:2 - did not 2 Chronicles 17:3 - he walked

Verse 4

removed: 2 Kings 12:3, 2 Kings 14:4, 2 Kings 15:4, 2 Kings 15:35, Leviticus 26:30, 1 Kings 3:2, 1 Kings 3:3, 1 Kings 15:14, 1 Kings 22:43, Psalms 78:58, Ezekiel 20:28, Ezekiel 20:29

brake: 2 Kings 23:4, Deuteronomy 7:5, Deuteronomy 12:2, Deuteronomy 12:3, Judges 6:25, Judges 6:28, 1 Kings 15:12, 1 Kings 15:13, 2 Chronicles 19:3, 2 Chronicles 31:1, 2 Chronicles 33:3

images: Heb. statues

the brazen serpent: Numbers 21:8, Numbers 21:9, John 3:14, John 3:15

unto those days: 2 Kings 16:15

Nehushtan: That is, a piece of brass.

Reciprocal: Exodus 34:13 - ye shall Leviticus 14:45 - break down 2 Kings 10:27 - brake down the image 2 Kings 11:18 - went 2 Kings 13:6 - and there remained 2 Kings 18:22 - whose high places 2 Kings 21:3 - the high places 2 Chronicles 14:3 - cut down 2 Chronicles 23:17 - the house of Baal 2 Chronicles 32:12 - Hath not 2 Chronicles 34:3 - General Isaiah 36:7 - is it not Hosea 11:12 - Judah

Verse 5

trusted: 2 Kings 19:10, 2 Chronicles 32:7, 2 Chronicles 32:8, Job 13:15, Psalms 13:5, Psalms 27:1, Psalms 27:2, Psalms 46:1, Psalms 46:2, Psalms 84:12, Psalms 146:5, Psalms 146:6, Jeremiah 17:7, Jeremiah 17:8, Matthew 27:43, Ephesians 1:12

after him: 2 Kings 19:15-19, 2 Kings 23:25, 2 Chronicles 14:11, 2 Chronicles 16:7-9, 2 Chronicles 20:20, 2 Chronicles 20:35

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 18:22 - We trust 2 Kings 19:37 - Nisroch 2 Chronicles 13:18 - relied Psalms 71:1 - do I Isaiah 36:4 - What Isaiah 36:7 - We trust Isaiah 37:10 - Let not

Verse 6

he clave: None of the kings of Judah, from the time of the division of the kingdom, equalled Hezekiah in the stedfastness and simplicity of his dependence upon the Lord; in which he aspired to an equality with his progenitor David, who had reigned over the whole land. Even Asa, through weakness of faith, sought the assistance of a heathen prince; and Jehoshaphat formed an alliance with idolatrous Ahab; but Hezekiah clave to the Lord, in entire confidence and unreserved obedience, to the end of his life. Deuteronomy 10:20, Joshua 23:8, Acts 11:23

from following him: Heb. from after him

kept: 2 Kings 17:13, 2 Kings 17:16, 2 Kings 17:19, Jeremiah 11:4, John 14:15, John 14:21, John 15:10, John 15:14, 1 John 5:3

Verse 7

And the Lord: Genesis 21:22, Genesis 39:2, Genesis 39:3, 1 Samuel 18:14, 2 Chronicles 15:2, Psalms 46:11, Psalms 60:12, Matthew 1:23, Matthew 28:20, Acts 7:9, Acts 7:10

he prospered: Genesis 39:2, 1 Samuel 18:5, 1 Samuel 18:14, *marg. 2 Samuel 8:6, 2 Samuel 8:14, 2 Chronicles 31:21, 2 Chronicles 32:30, Psalms 1:3, Psalms 60:12, Romans 8:31

rebelled: 2 Kings 18:20, 2 Kings 16:7

Reciprocal: Judges 1:19 - the Lord Judges 1:22 - the Lord 1 Kings 2:3 - whithersoever 2 Kings 18:14 - I have offended Ezra 4:19 - and it is found Isaiah 36:5 - that

Verse 8

the Philistines: 1 Chronicles 4:41, 2 Chronicles 28:18, Isaiah 14:29

Gaza: Heb. Azzah

from the tower: 2 Kings 17:9, 2 Chronicles 26:10, Isaiah 5:2

Reciprocal: Amos 1:7 - a fire

Verse 9

am 3281, bc 723

the fourth year: 2 Kings 18:1, 2 Kings 17:4-6

Shalmaneser: 2 Kings 17:3-23, Hosea 10:14, Shalman

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:17 - besieged Tirzah 2 Kings 6:24 - gathered 2 Kings 17:1 - Hoshea 2 Kings 17:5 - the king 2 Kings 17:20 - delivered 2 Chronicles 32:4 - kings Ezra 9:7 - into the hand Job 34:29 - whether Isaiah 8:7 - he shall come Isaiah 10:9 - Samaria Isaiah 36:17 - I come Isaiah 37:4 - for the Jeremiah 3:8 - when for Jeremiah 50:17 - first Ezekiel 23:9 - General Hosea 1:4 - will cause Amos 3:11 - General Micah 1:9 - it Micah 5:6 - the Assyrian Zechariah 1:18 - four

Verse 10

am 3283, bc 721

they took it: Hosea 13:16, Amos 3:11-15, Amos 4:1-3, Amos 6:7, Amos 9:1-4, Micah 1:6-9, Micah 6:16, Micah 7:13

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 17:6 - the king of Assyria Isaiah 10:9 - Samaria Isaiah 28:1 - whose Isaiah 36:19 - and have Hosea 10:14 - and all

Verse 11

the king: 2 Kings 17:6, 2 Kings 19:11, 1 Chronicles 5:26, Isaiah 7:8, Isaiah 8:4, Isaiah 9:9-21, Isaiah 10:5, Isaiah 10:11, Isaiah 37:12, Hosea 8:8, Hosea 8:9, Hosea 9:3, Amos 5:1-3, Amos 5:6, Amos 5:25-27, Acts 7:43

Halah: It is thought, with much probability, that Halah, or Chalach, is Ptolemy's Calachene, the northern part of Assyria; that Habor, or Chabor, is the mountain or mountainous country, between Media and Assyria, called by Ptolemy, בגשסבע, Chaboras; and that Gozan is Gauzanitis of Ptolemy, situated between that mountain and the Caspian sea, and between the two channels of the river Cyrus.

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 8:33 - because they have 1 Kings 14:15 - shall scatter 2 Kings 17:23 - So was Israel 2 Kings 18:32 - I come 2 Kings 21:8 - will I make 2 Kings 23:27 - I will remove 2 Chronicles 32:1 - king of Assyria Isaiah 10:13 - I have removed Hosea 11:5 - but

Verse 12

they obeyed not: 2 Kings 17:7-23, Deuteronomy 8:20, Deuteronomy 11:28, Deuteronomy 29:24-28, Deuteronomy 31:17, Nehemiah 9:17, Nehemiah 9:26, Nehemiah 9:27, Psalms 107:17, Isaiah 1:19, Jeremiah 3:8, Jeremiah 7:23, Daniel 9:6-11, Micah 3:4, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 1 Peter 2:8, 1 Peter 4:17

Moses: Numbers 12:7, Deuteronomy 34:5, Joshua 1:1, 2 Timothy 2:24, Hebrews 3:5, Hebrews 3:6

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 17:2 - in transgressing Joshua 7:11 - transgressed 1 Kings 8:33 - because they have 1 Kings 14:15 - shall scatter 2 Kings 17:23 - So was Israel Ezekiel 11:12 - but Daniel 9:10 - which Hosea 11:5 - because Amos 2:6 - For three

Verse 13

am 3291, bc 713

the fourteenth: 2 Chronicles 32:1-23, Isaiah 36:1-22

Sennacherib: Heb. Sanherib

come up: Isaiah 7:17-25, Isaiah 8:7, Isaiah 8:8, Isaiah 10:5, Hosea 12:1, Hosea 12:2

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:52 - General 2 Kings 17:3 - king of Assyria 2 Kings 19:4 - the remnant 2 Chronicles 32:4 - kings Isaiah 10:27 - his burden Isaiah 28:19 - the time Isaiah 33:1 - thee that Isaiah 33:8 - he hath despised Jeremiah 34:7 - Lachish Hosea 8:14 - I will send Micah 1:13 - Lachish Nahum 1:11 - one

Verse 14

I have offended: 2 Kings 18:7, 1 Kings 20:4, Proverbs 29:25, Luke 14:32

Reciprocal: Joshua 10:3 - Lachish Joshua 15:39 - Lachish 2 Kings 10:5 - We are thy servants 2 Kings 15:20 - stayed not 2 Kings 17:3 - and Hoshea 2 Kings 17:4 - brought 2 Kings 18:20 - rebellest 2 Kings 19:8 - Lachish 2 Kings 23:33 - put Isaiah 10:27 - his burden Isaiah 33:8 - he hath broken Isaiah 33:18 - receiver Jeremiah 34:7 - Lachish Micah 1:13 - Lachish Micah 1:14 - give Nahum 1:11 - one Romans 1:31 - covenantbreakers

Verse 15

2 Kings 12:18, 2 Kings 16:8, 1 Kings 15:15, 1 Kings 15:18, 1 Kings 15:19, 2 Chronicles 16:2

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 17:4 - brought 1 Chronicles 27:25 - the king's 1 Chronicles 28:12 - the treasuries 2 Chronicles 12:9 - took away 2 Chronicles 28:21 - took away Isaiah 10:13 - robbed Joel 3:5 - ye

Verse 16

gold: 1 Kings 6:31-35, 2 Chronicles 29:3

it: Heb. them

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 15:18 - Asa 2 Kings 12:18 - took all the hallowed 2 Kings 15:19 - Menahem 2 Kings 16:8 - the silver 2 Chronicles 12:9 - took away 2 Chronicles 28:21 - took away Joel 3:5 - ye

Verse 17

am 3294, bc 710

the king: 2 Chronicles 32:9, Isaiah 20:1, Isaiah 36:2

Tartan: Calmet remarks, that these are not the names of persons, but of offices: Tartan signifies "he who presides over gifts or tribute;" Rabsaris, "the chief of the eunuchs;" and Rabshakeh, "the chief cup-bearer."

great: Heb. heavy

the conduit of the upper pool: If the Fuller's field were near En-Rogel, or the Fuller's fountain, east of Jerusalem, as is generally supposed, then the conduit of the upper pool may been an aqueduct that brought the water from the upper or eastern reservoir of that fountain, which had been seized in order to distress the city. 2 Kings 20:20, Isaiah 7:3, Isaiah 22:9-11, Isaiah 36:2

Reciprocal: Joshua 10:3 - Lachish Joshua 15:39 - Lachish 2 Samuel 20:13 - the highway 2 Kings 6:14 - great 2 Kings 19:4 - whom the king 2 Kings 19:6 - the servants 2 Kings 19:9 - sent 2 Kings 19:23 - messengers 2 Chronicles 12:4 - came Nehemiah 2:14 - the gate of the fountain Isaiah 29:3 - General Isaiah 36:1 - it came Micah 1:13 - Lachish Nahum 2:13 - the voice

Verse 18

Eliakim: 2 Kings 19:2, Isaiah 22:20-24, Isaiah 36:3, Isaiah 36:22, Isaiah 37:2

Shebna: Isaiah 22:15-19

the scribe: or, secretary, 2 Samuel 8:17, *marg.

the recorder: 2 Samuel 8:16, 2 Samuel 20:24, 1 Kings 4:3, 2 Chronicles 34:8

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 22:9 - the scribe 1 Chronicles 6:45 - Hilkiah Ezra 4:8 - scribe Isaiah 33:7 - the ambassadors

Verse 19

Rabshakeh: He was the chief speaker, being a very eloquent man, and, according to the Hebrews, whom Procopius follows, an apostate Jew; which is not improbable, as he spoke Hebrew so fluently; and when he blasphemed the Divine Majesty, the king and nobles rent their clothes, which was usual unless the blasphemer were an Israelite.

Thus saith: 2 Chronicles 32:10, Isaiah 10:8-14, Isaiah 36:4, Isaiah 37:13, Daniel 4:30

What confidence: 2 Kings 18:22, 2 Kings 18:29, 2 Kings 18:30, 2 Kings 19:10, 2 Chronicles 32:7, 2 Chronicles 32:8, 2 Chronicles 32:10, 2 Chronicles 32:11, 2 Chronicles 32:14-16, Psalms 4:2, Isaiah 36:4, Isaiah 36:7, Isaiah 37:10

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 18:28 - the king of Assyria Nahum 2:13 - the voice

Verse 20

sayest: or, talkest

vain words: Heb. word of the lips, I have counsel and strength for the war. or, but counsel and strength are for the war. Proverbs 21:30, Proverbs 21:31

rebellest: 2 Kings 18:14

Reciprocal: Exodus 5:9 - vain words 2 Kings 18:7 - rebelled 2 Chronicles 32:1 - king of Assyria 2 Chronicles 32:3 - took counsel Ezra 4:12 - rebellious Isaiah 33:8 - he regardeth Luke 14:31 - General Ephesians 5:6 - vain

Verse 21

trustest: Heb. trustest thee

the staff: Isaiah 36:6, Ezekiel 29:6, Ezekiel 29:7

upon Egypt: Isaiah 30:2, Isaiah 30:7, Isaiah 31:1-3

so is Pharaoh: 2 Kings 17:4, Jeremiah 46:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:15 - princes 2 Kings 18:24 - thy trust Isaiah 20:5 - afraid Isaiah 33:8 - he regardeth Jeremiah 2:16 - Also the Matthew 12:20 - bruised

Verse 22

We trust: 2 Kings 18:5, Daniel 3:15, Matthew 27:43

whose high places: 2 Kings 18:4, 2 Chronicles 31:1, 2 Chronicles 32:12, Isaiah 36:7, 1 Corinthians 2:15

Reciprocal: Numbers 23:1 - seven altars Joshua 22:29 - to build 1 Kings 3:3 - only he 1 Kings 22:43 - the high 2 Kings 18:19 - What confidence 2 Kings 18:30 - make you 2 Kings 21:3 - the high places 1 Chronicles 22:1 - and this is the altar 2 Chronicles 15:8 - the altar of the Lord 2 Chronicles 30:14 - altars

Verse 23

pledges: Heb. hostages

I will deliver: 1 Samuel 17:42, 1 Samuel 17:44, 1 Kings 20:10, 1 Kings 20:18, Nehemiah 4:2-5, Psalms 123:3, Psalms 123:4, Isaiah 10:13, Isaiah 10:14, Isaiah 36:8, Isaiah 36:9

Reciprocal: Judges 9:29 - Increase thine army 2 Samuel 17:12 - we will light 2 Kings 14:14 - and hostages 2 Kings 19:23 - With the multitude Nehemiah 4:3 - Tobiah

Verse 24

How then: Isaiah 10:8, Daniel 2:37, Daniel 2:38, Daniel 4:22, Daniel 4:37

thy trust: 2 Kings 18:21, Deuteronomy 17:16, Isaiah 31:1, Isaiah 31:3, Isaiah 36:6, Isaiah 36:9, Jeremiah 37:7, Jeremiah 42:14-18, Ezekiel 17:15, Ezekiel 17:17

chariots: Psalms 20:7, Psalms 20:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 50:9 - chariots 1 Samuel 17:42 - disdained

Verse 25

Amos I now: 2 Kings 19:6, 2 Kings 19:22-37, 1 Kings 13:18, 2 Chronicles 35:21, Isaiah 10:5, Isaiah 10:6, Amos 3:6, John 19:10, John 19:11

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 16:10 - so let him 2 Kings 24:3 - Surely Isaiah 36:10 - General Jeremiah 50:21 - and do

Verse 26

Speak: Perceiving that the object of this blasphemous caitiff was to stir up the people to sedition, they mildly and reasonably required him to make his proposals in the Syrian language.

in the Syrian language: Ezra 4:7, Isaiah 36:11, Isaiah 36:12, Daniel 2:4

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 32:18 - they cried Nehemiah 6:5 - with an open letter Esther 8:9 - and according Isaiah 36:21 - General 1 Corinthians 14:2 - he that

Verse 27

eat: 2 Kings 6:25, Deuteronomy 28:53-57, Psalms 73:8, Lamentations 4:5, Ezekiel 4:13, Ezekiel 4:15

their own piss: Heb. the water of their feet

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 32:11 - to give over Isaiah 36:11 - in the Syrian Isaiah 36:12 - that they may Hosea 8:1 - the house Nahum 2:13 - the voice

Verse 28

Rabshakeh: 2 Chronicles 32:18, Isaiah 36:13-18

the king of Assyria: 2 Kings 18:19, Ezra 7:12, Psalms 47:2, Isaiah 10:8-13, Ezekiel 29:3, Ezekiel 31:3-10, Revelation 19:6

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 19:22 - Whom

Verse 29

saith: Psalms 73:8, Psalms 73:9

Let not: 2 Chronicles 32:11, 2 Chronicles 32:15, Daniel 3:15-17, Daniel 6:16, John 19:10, John 19:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:8

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 18:19 - What confidence 2 Kings 18:32 - persuadeth 2 Kings 19:3 - This day 2 Kings 19:10 - General John 7:47 - Are

Verse 30

make you: 2 Kings 18:22, 2 Kings 19:10, 2 Kings 19:22, Psalms 4:2, Psalms 11:1, Psalms 22:7, Psalms 22:8, Psalms 71:9, Psalms 71:11, Psalms 125:1, Psalms 125:2, Matthew 27:43, Luke 23:35

this city: 2 Kings 19:32-34

Reciprocal: Leviticus 24:11 - blasphemed 2 Kings 18:19 - What confidence 2 Kings 19:37 - Nisroch 2 Chronicles 32:7 - be not afraid 2 Chronicles 32:11 - The Lord our God Ezekiel 36:20 - These Nahum 1:11 - one

Verse 31

Make an agreement with me: or, Seek my favour, Heb. Make with me a blessing, Genesis 32:20, Genesis 33:11, Proverbs 18:16

eat ye: 1 Kings 4:20, 1 Kings 4:25, Zechariah 3:10

cistern: or, pit

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 11:2 - On this 1 Kings 20:6 - and they shall search 2 Kings 17:3 - and Hoshea 2 Kings 17:24 - Ava Isaiah 33:18 - receiver Isaiah 36:16 - Make an agreement with me by a present Jeremiah 14:3 - pits

Verse 32

I come: 2 Kings 18:11, 2 Kings 17:6, 2 Kings 17:23, 2 Kings 24:14-16, 2 Kings 25:11

like your own: Exodus 3:8, Numbers 13:26, Numbers 13:27, Numbers 14:8, Deuteronomy 8:7-9, Deuteronomy 11:12, Deuteronomy 32:13, Deuteronomy 32:14

persuadeth: or, deceiveth, 2 Kings 18:29

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:11 - he washed 2 Samuel 3:25 - that he came 1 Kings 20:6 - and they shall search Isaiah 10:13 - I have removed Isaiah 36:17 - a land of corn John 7:47 - Are

Verse 33

Hath any: 2 Kings 19:12, 2 Kings 19:13, 2 Kings 19:17, 2 Kings 19:18, 2 Chronicles 32:14-17, 2 Chronicles 32:19, Isaiah 10:10, Isaiah 36:18-20

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 19:23 - With the multitude 2 Chronicles 32:13 - were the gods Isaiah 37:11 - General Hosea 10:14 - as

Verse 34

the gods: 2 Kings 19:13, Numbers 13:21, 2 Samuel 8:9, Jeremiah 49:23

Hamath: Hamath, there is little doubt, was the Epiphania of the Greeks, as Josephus, Theodoret, and Jerome, expressly assert. It was a celebrated city of Syria, situated on the Orontes, and the present Hamah doubtless occupies its site; as Abulfeda, who was prince or emir of Hamah about ad 1345, expressly states, in his Description of Syria, that Hamah is an ancient city mentioned in the writings of the Israelites. It is still a considerable town, situated on both sides of the Orontes, about three days' journey and a half from Tripoli; and must contain, Burckhardt says, at least 30,000 inhabitants.

Arpad: Arpad is probably the town of Arphas, mentioned by Josephus as limiting the province of Gamalitis, Gaulanitis, Batanea, and Trachonitis, to the ne; and the Raphan, or Raphanea, which Stephanus places near Epiphania.

the gods: 2 Kings 17:24-33, Ava, Isaiah 36:18, Isaiah 36:19, Isaiah 37:11, Isaiah 37:12, Isaiah 37:18, Isaiah 37:19

have they delivered: 2 Kings 17:6, 2 Kings 17:23, 2 Kings 17:24, 2 Kings 17:30, 2 Kings 17:31, 2 Kings 19:12, 2 Kings 19:13

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 19:23 - With the multitude Isaiah 37:13 - Ivah Amos 6:2 - Hamath

Verse 35

Who are: 2 Kings 19:17, Daniel 3:15

that the Lord: Exodus 5:2, 2 Chronicles 32:15, Job 15:25, Job 15:26, Isaiah 10:15, Isaiah 37:23-29

Reciprocal: Leviticus 24:11 - blasphemed 2 Kings 19:6 - the servants Ezekiel 36:20 - These

Verse 36

held their peace: Psalms 38:13, Psalms 38:14, Psalms 39:1, Proverbs 9:7, Proverbs 26:4, Amos 5:13, Matthew 7:6

Reciprocal: Proverbs 11:12 - a man

Verse 37

with their clothes rent: 2 Kings 5:7, 2 Kings 22:11, 2 Kings 22:19, Genesis 37:29, Genesis 37:34, Job 1:20, Isaiah 33:7, Isaiah 36:21, Isaiah 36:22, Jeremiah 36:24, Matthew 26:65

Reciprocal: Leviticus 24:11 - blasphemed Numbers 14:6 - rent their clothes 1 Kings 21:27 - he rent 2 Kings 19:1 - he rent Ezra 9:3 - rent Isaiah 22:15 - Shebna Isaiah 22:20 - Eliakim Jeremiah 36:10 - the scribe Acts 14:14 - they