After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.
Read it in contextSennacherib's Invasion and God's Deliverance of Judah
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 32:1 (2 Chronicles 32:1 to 2 Chronicles 32:33).
The entire chapter details Sennacherib's invasion, Hezekiah's preparations and prayer, God's miraculous intervention, and the subsequent events of Hezekiah's reign, concluding with his death. Verse 1 introduces the main event of the chapter.
32:1After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.
32:2And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,
32:3He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.
32:4So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
32:5Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.
32:6And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
32:7Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
32:8With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
32:9After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,
32:10Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?
32:11Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
32:12Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?
32:13Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?
32:14Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?
32:15Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?
32:16And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah.
32:17He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.
32:18Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.
32:19And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man.
32:20And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.
32:21And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
32:22Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.
32:23And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.
32:24In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.
32:25But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
32:26Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
32:27And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;
32:28Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.
32:29Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.
32:30This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
32:31Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
32:32Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
32:33And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Ezra is the traditional Jewish attribution, while the final compiler is not known with certainty. First and Second Chronicles are parts of the same historical work. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Chronicles 32:1–32:33): Hezekiah, Isaiah, Judah's people, Assyrian forces, and visiting envoys are involved in the invasion and later episodes of his reign. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The Jewish community after exile, especially those concerned with the temple, worship, the Davidic kings, and the call to return and rebuild. Biblical references: 2 Chronicles 36:20; 2 Chronicles 36:22; 2 Chronicles 36:23. book background
What
What is the main event or theme? The invasion of Judah by Sennacherib, king of Assyria, with the intent to conquer its fortified cities.
What is God revealing? God is revealing His sovereign power to deliver His people from seemingly insurmountable military threats when they trust in Him, as demonstrated by His protection of Judah from the Assyrian army.
What is the literary style? Narrative history.
When
When was it written? Approximately 450 to 425 B.C.
When does the event take place? During the reign of King Hezekiah of Judah, specifically around 701 B.C., which is within the broader period of c. 970 to 538 B.C. for the events of the book.
Where
Where did it happen? In Judah, specifically against its 'fenced cities' and with the ultimate goal of conquering Jerusalem.
Where was the author located? Jerusalem.
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Sennacherib's Invasion and God's Deliverance of Judah (2 Chronicles 32:1 to 2 Chronicles 32:33).
Start reading at 2 Chronicles 32:1. The entire chapter details Sennacherib's invasion, Hezekiah's preparations and prayer, God's miraculous intervention, and the subsequent events of Hezekiah's reign, concluding with his death. Verse 1 introduces the main event of the chapter.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse introduces the major conflict of King Hezekiah's reign, setting the stage for God's miraculous deliverance of Judah from the powerful Assyrian empire. It serves as a pivotal moment demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant people, a key theme for the returned exiles who were the original audience of Chronicles. interpretation
How does it point to Christ? God's powerful deliverance of Judah from the seemingly invincible Assyrian army prefigures Christ's ultimate victory over all spiritual enemies—sin, death, and Satan. Just as God protected His people in Hezekiah's day, Christ assures His church of ultimate triumph and protection against all opposing forces, demonstrating His sovereign power and faithfulness. interpretation
How do I apply it today? Believers today can apply this passage by trusting in God's sovereign power and protection when facing overwhelming challenges or seemingly impossible situations. Like Hezekiah and the people of Judah, we are called to 'be strong and courageous' and remember that 'there be more with us than with him' (2 Chronicles 32:7-8), relying on God's strength rather than human might. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles 32
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Major reforms are set beside the sins of intervening reigns, preserving the tension between renewal and approaching judgment.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Major reforms are set beside the sins of intervening reigns, preserving the tension between renewal and approaching judgment.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Chronicles
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Second Chronicles follows Solomon and the kings of Judah, emphasizing the temple, worship, and responses to prophetic warning. The closing proclamation of Cyrus points beyond exile toward return.
Connection to the wholeJerusalem's fall is explained in relation to rejected warnings, and Cyrus' proclamation opens the possibility of return and rebuilding.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.