2 Reis 18
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
2 Reis 18
NJB (MT versing) Hezekiah Reigns Over Judah Hezekiah Reigns in Judah The Accession of Hezekiah, His Reforms King Hezekiah of Judah Introduction to the Reign of Hezekiah (716-687) 18:1-6 18:1-3 18:1-8 18:1-8 18:1-4 18:4-8 Hezekiah Victorious 18:5-8 18:7-8 The Fall of Samaria; Recapitulation 18:9-12 18:9-12 18:9-12 18:9-11 18:9-12 18:12 Invasion of Judah The Assyrians Threaten Jerusalem Sennacherib's Invasion 18:13-16 18:13-16 18:13-18 18:13-21 18:13-16 Sennacherib Boasts Against the Lord The Embassy of the Cupbearer-in-chief 18:17-18 18:17-25 18:17-25 18:19-25 18:19-25 18:22-25 18:26-27 18:26-35 18:26-27 18:26 18:26-27 18:27 18:28-35 18:28-35 18:28-35 18:28-35 18:36-37 18:36-37 18:36-37 18:36-37 18:36-37 Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS Chronology of Assyrian Rulers Tiglath-pileser III, 745-727 B.C. (cf. 2 Kings. 15:29) called Pul, 2 Kgs. 15:19 "Tiglath-pileser," 1 and 2 Chronicles Shalmaneser V, 727-722 B.C. (cf. 2 Kgs. 18:9-12) Israel's History in Connection with Assyrian Empire Israel's History in Connection with Assyrian Empire Tiglath-pileser III mentioned in 2 Kgs. 15:19,29; 16:7-10; 1 Chr. 5:6,26; 2 Chr. 28:20 Tiglath-pileser III put Hoshea on throne of Israel (northern 10 tribes) as a vassal in place of Pekah (2 Kgs. 15:30). Shalmaneser V reacted to Hoshea making an alliance with Egypt and he was deported into exile (2 Kgs. 17:4). Sargon II finished siege of the capital, Samaria, after death of Shalmaneser V. Sennacherib invaded Judah because Hezekiah refused to pay tribute (2 Kings 18; Isaiah 36:32 and Isaiah 37). SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF ASSYRIA There are several slightly different versions of the events of 2 Kings 18-19. This probably reveals several written or oral sources combined. 2 Kings 18:17-19:9,36-37 2 Kings 19:9b-35 Isaiah 36-37 Also note the 2 Chronicles 32 parallel A new book has helped me understand how oral societies passed on their traditions. John H. Walton and D. Brent Sandy, The Lost World of Scripture. I highly recommend it. Also notice that 2 Kgs. 18:9-11 repeats the information of 17:3-6. It must be remembered that modern Bible students do not know the when, the how, or the who, related to the formation of the OT. Christians accept it as the revelation of God but we do not know the procedures of the faith doctrine of "inspiration." SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BIBLE (its uniqueness and inspiration) SPECIAL TOPIC: CANON
2 Reis 18:1-6
18:1 "Hezekiah" Hezekiah's life and actions are also dealt with in 2 Chronicles 29. See my exegetical notes below. 2 Chr. 29:1 "Hezekiah" The Chronicler presents him as one of the godly kings of Judah (i.e., chapters 29-32). In this chapter, after his coronation year he immediately (i.e., first year, first month, cf. 2 Chr. 29:17) started the restoration of temple worship. The sacred calendar begins with Nisan. The Passover of chapter 30 was on the 14 th . 2 Chronicles 29:1 is a typical introduction but this was not a typical king. He was, in the Chronicler's opinion, the most spiritual king since David (cf. 2 Kgs. 18:5). It is surprising that some Hebrew names (i.e., like Joshua) are spelled in different ways. in Kings it is spelled חזקיהו (i.e., 2 Kgs. 16:20; 18:9; 19:1) חזקיה (i.e., 2 Kgs. 18:1) in Chronicles ‒ יחזקיהו The Jewish Study Bible, p. 1808, suggests that the Kings form of the name is older. The name for Israel's covenant Deity, YHWH, is added to names in two ways. a "y" at the beginning (English "J") "iah" at the end Form #2 has both. The root קזח (BDB 304) means "strong," therefore, the Jewish Study Bible differentiates the meaning as #1 "YHWH is my strength" #2 "YHWH is strong" 18:2 "reigned twenty-nine years" He reigned 14 years before his illness of chapter 10 and 15 years after. ▣ "Abi" This name (BDB 4) is a shortened form of Abijah (BDB 4, cf. 2 Chr. 29:1). "18:3 "He did right in the sight of the Lord"" Hezekiah is one of the few Judean kings who the author of Kings considered a godly, faithful person (cf. 2 Kgs. 20;3). This characterization is said of only two other Judean kings—Asa (1 Kgs. 15:11) and Josiah (2 Kgs. 22:2). 18:4 This verse records the things Hezekiah did that showed he was serious about the worship of YHWH. He removed the high places. These local worship sites had become idolatrous but they were very popular. He destroyed the all images of Ba'al and Asherah. He destroyed the bronze serpent of Moses' day (i.e., Numbers 21) which had become idolatrous. ▣ "Nehushtan" There are several possibilities about the proper name (BDB 639). It is related to "serpent," נחשתן ‒ BDB 638, נחשׁ; SPECIAL TOPIC: SERPENT It is related to "bronze" ‒ BDB 638, נחשׁת Because the MT has "he called it," Rashi thought it was Hezekiah that named it "the bronze-thing" or "bronze-god" in derision. This relic appears in Num. 21:8-9, but had become an idol. Judah burned incense to it. There are many examples of bronze snakes as deities in the ANE. 18:5 "He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel" This is the opposite of 2 Kgs. 17:14. His faith was seen in his acts. "Trusted" is not the word "amen" (BDB 52, KB 53) but בסח (BDB 105, KB 120). It is used several times in chapter 18 and once in 19 (only usage in 1 Kings and 2 Kings). v. 5 ‒ Qal PERFECT, "trusted in" (YHWH) v. 19 ‒ Qal PERFECT, "confidence" (cf. Isa. 36:4) v. 20 ‒ Qal PERFECT, "rely" (on Hezekiah) v. 21 ‒ Qal PARTICIPLE, "rely" v. 21 ‒ Qal PERFECT, "rely" (on Egypt) v. 22 ‒ Qal PERFECT, "trust" (cf. Isa. 36:7) v. 24 ‒ Qal IMPERFECT with waw, "rely" (on Egypt) v. 30 ‒ Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense, "trust" (in YHWH) 19:10 ‒ Qal PARTICIPLE, "trust" (in YHWH) ▣ "so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him" What a wonderful assertion of Hezekiah's faithfulness to YHWH. 18:6 The reasons for Hezekiah's spiritual evaluation is found in v. 4, his actions against idolatry and superstition v. 6, his spiritual lifestyle clung to the Lord (VERB common in Deuteronomy (cf. Deut. 10:22; 11:22; 13:4; 30:20) kept His commandments (VERB also common in Deuteronomy) ▣ "clung" This VERB (BDB 179, KB 209, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) is often used in a series of requirements related to obedience to the Mosaic Covenant. I have included my notes from Deut. 10:20. Deut. 10:20 As the requirements of God were set out in vv. 12-13 by several INFINITIVE CONSTRUCTS, here they are set out again in Qal IMPERFECT VERBS: "fear the Lord" ‒ BDB 431, KB 432, cf. Deut. 5:29; 6:13; 13:4 "serve Him" ‒ BDB 712, KB 773, cf. Deut. 13:4 "cling to Him" ‒ BDB 179, KB 209, cf. Deut. 11:22; 13:4 "swear by His name" ‒ BDB 989, KB 1396, cf. Deut. 5:11; 6:13. See full note at 5:11. All of these relate to proper motives and actions of worship. SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S COVENANT REQUIREMENTS OF ISRAEL ▣ "he did not depart from following Him" Many kings started out well but fell away (i.e., Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Amaziah). Hezekiah was faithful all his life! ▣ "but kept His commandments" See Special Topics: SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION
2 Reis 18:7-8
18:7 "the Lord was with him" This imagery of God's personal presence and blessing was used of Joseph Moses Joshua David (but of no Judean king since David, except Hezekiah) ▣ "he rebelled against the king of Assyria" When Sargon II died in 705 B.C., several regions rebelled, Babylon and Judah among them (cf. 2 Kgs. 20:12). The theological question is, did YHWH or Hezekiah initiate this revolt? Hezekiah was still proud over his victory of Philistia he thought Egypt would help him (this is condemned by Isaiah) YHWH wanted to show His power 2 Chronicles 32 lists the many things that Hezekiah did to prepare for war with Assyria. 18:8 "defeated the Philistines" This is a possible reference to Assyrian vassal kings (i.e., Padi of Ekron). ▣ "from watchtower to fortified city" This is imagery of "from the smallest fortification to the largest fortification."
2 Reis 18:9-12
18:9-10 Shalmaneser V is the Assyrian king who first besieged Samaria. The siege lasted three years. During this time Shalmaneser V died but his son, Sargon II, finished the job. 18:11 For these place names see Contextual Insights of 2 Kings 17 (i.e., v. 6). 18:12 This gives the reason for Assyria's victory as YHWH's judgment on Israel's sins (cf. 2 Kings 17), not the power of Assyria's gods or military. Kings is a theologically based history, as is Chronicles (i.e., Deuteronomy 7-9; 27-30). YHWH's control of history (cf. Isa. 46:10; 55:8-11) can be seen in Shalmaneser V ‒ 2 Kgs. 17:3,4; 18:9 Nebuchadnezzar ‒ Jer. 21:7; 25:9; 27:6; Ezek. 29:18-20; 30:19 Cyrus II ‒ Isa. 45:1 This reflects the biblical worldview of the sovereignty and uniqueness of YHWH. SPECIAL TOPIC: MONOTHEISM SPECIAL TOPIC: OT HISTORIOGRAPHY COMPARED WITH NEAR EASTERN CULTURES
2 Reis 18:13-16
18:13 "in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah" Gleason Archer, Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, p. 207, asserts that a copyist miscopied "24" to "14." The 24 th year fits the other dates given in 2 Kings. SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM ▣ "Sennacherib king of Assyria" He began this invasion in 701 B.C. See Introduction to Isaiah for further historical information. The Jewish Study Bible, p. 763, has a good summary of the Assyrian account of this incursion. "Sennacherib's own accounts mention that he conqered 46 strong cities and forts, that he captured over 200,000 people, that he made 'Hezekiah a prisoner in Jerusalem, like a bird in a cage,' and that Hezekiah paid him a large tribute, including his daughters, palace women, and male and female singers." 18:14-16 Hezekiah tried to stop Assyria's reprisal by admitting his offence and paying tribute. But this did not work (cf. vv. 17-37; Josephus, Antiq. 10.1.1) there is a period of time between v. 16 and v. 17 18:14 "Lachish" This was a major Judean fortress about 30 miles southwest of Jerusalem. It had become the headquarters for the Assyrian invaders. The horror pf Lachish's siege and fall (in Assyrian bas reliefs now in the the British Museum) graphically illustrates the scene. 18:16 "doorposts" This term (BDB 52; NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 435) is found only here. Its meaning is unknown but is somehow related to "doors" (BDB 195) in the previous clause.
2 Reis 18:17-18
18:17 "Tartan" This was not a personal name but a title, "Commander-in-chief of the Army" (BDB 1077, cf. Isa. 20;1). ▣ "Rab-saris" This was not a personal name but a title, "Chief Eunuch" (BDB 913 CONSTRUCT BDB 710)., cf. Jer. 39:3,13). ▣ "Rabshakeh" This is not a personal name but a title, "Chief Cupbearer" (BDB 913 II; NIDOTTE, vol. 4, p. 232, #5). ▣ "by the conduit of the upper pool" This was probably on the north side close to the Assyrian camp at Lachish. See Isa. 7:3. ▣ "fuller's field" This is a CONSTRUCT of "field" (BDB 911) and "wash" (BDB 460, KB 459, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE). Washing clothes in the ANE did not involve soap but beating on stones or treading on them to loosen the dirt. It is possible this field was a place of pounding or treading clothes (i.e., a water source) a place where wet clean clothes were spread out to dry a place where new cloth was softened (TEV, Walter Duckat, Beggar to King: All the Occupations of Biblical Times, p. 88) 18:18 As Sennacherib's officials are listed in v. 17, so here, Hezekiah's (cf. 2 Kgs. 19:2). Eliakim ‒ over the household, v. Isa. 22:20; 36:3,22; 37:2; see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 129-131 Shebna ‒ the scribe, Isa. 22:15; 36:3,22; see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 131-132 Joah ‒ the recorder of Isa. 36:22, this title is from the VERB "remember" (BDB 269); it was used of official court records in 2 Sam. 8:16; 20:24; 1 Kgs. 4:3; 2 Kgs. 18:37; Isa. 36:3,22; 1 Chr. 18:15; 2 Chr. 34:8; see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, p. 132
2 Reis 18:19-25
18:19 "the great king" This was a characteristic title of the Assyrian monarch, like "King of Kings" was for Babylonian kings. It was a way to designate the main/chief ruler over many vassal kings. ▣ "What is this confidence that you have" This refers to Hezekiah's trust in YHWH (cf. vv. 22, 30, 32). The Assyrian leaders were trying to cause a rift between the king and his faith and his unpopular acts against idolatry (cf. v. 22; i.e., removing the high places, destroying the Canaanite fertility idols and his destroying Moses' bronze serpent). The people of Judah still clung to idolatry. 18:20-21 Hezekiah had flirted with an alliance with Egypt but Egypt was too weak during this period to help (cf. Isa. 30:2-3). 18:21 "So is Pharaoh" See full note at 2 Kings 17:4. 18:23 "make a bargain" This VERB (BDB 786, KB 876, Hithpael IMPERATIVE) is treaty language for a reciprocal agreement (cf. Isa. 36:8). ▣ "if you are able on your part to set riders on them" This sarcastic phrase shows contempt for Judah's weak military condition and Assyria's surplus! It may also be a promise to include Judah's military into the Assyrian army as mercenaries (i.e., hoping to cause a military coup). 18:25 This is a strange statement. Was Rabshakeh lying? Had Assyria become aware of YHWH's judgments on His covenant people (i.e., Isa. 10:5-11)? Had Assyrian wise men performed divination?
2 Reis 18:26-27
18:26,28 "Judean" This term refers to the Hebrew language (BDB 397, cf. Isa. 36:11,13; 2 Chr. 32:18; Neh. 13:24). Aramaic was the later official language of Persia, but here it was the current language of Assyria. SPECIAL TOPIC: HEBREW GRAMMAR, I. 18:27 Rabshakeh (BDB 913 II) was trying to cause fear and revolt among the military by referring to things that happened during long sieges (cf. Isa. 36:12). people ate dung people drank urine The author of Chronicles changes the language (cf. 2 Chr. 32:11). See Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, "Siege Warfare," pp. 236-238.
2 Reis 18:28-35
18:29 "Do not let Hezekiah deceive you" This VERB (BDB 674 II, KB 728, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense) basically means "beguile" or "deceive." Here, the Assyrian leaders encourage the people of Jerusalem not to trust Hezekiah and his faith in YHWH (cf. Isa. 36:14). In 2 Kgs. 19:10, the same VERB (Hiphil JUSSIVE) is addressed to Hezekiah not to trust YHWH (cf. Isa. 37:10). This same VERB is used of the serpent deceiving Eve in Gen. 3:13. ▣ "my hand" There is some confusion in this speech as related to PRONOUNS because Rabshakeh speaks in FIRST PERSON for Sennacherib. "My hand" is in LXX, Peshitta, Targums, and Vulgate. 18:31-32 This is the promise of exile to a pleasant place. The Judeans could have their own fields, vineyards, and houses, but in a different place. 18:32-35 "take you away" This VERB (BDB 664, KB 717; NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 144) is used five times in vv. 32-35. Hiphil IMPERFECT ‒ vv. 32 Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT and IMPERFECT VERB for emphasis ‒ v. 33 Hiphil PERFECT ‒ vv. 34-35 Same as 3. Same as 3. 18:33-35 None of the gods of the nations east of the Euphrates has been able to stop Assyria; why should Judah think their's could? Even Israel, which is also YHWH's covenant people, has fallen!
2 Reis 18:36-37
18:36-37 This logical argument caused the people to fear. 18:37 "with their clothes torn" See SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES.