Bible Chapter Summary
2 Kings 18 Summary
Hezekiah's Reforms and Assyrian Siege
Hezekiah reigns at twenty-five and does right like David, removing high places, breaking images, cutting down groves, and destroying the bronze serpent that Israel had idolatrously worshipped. He trusts in the LORD, departs not from following Him, and prospers. When Shalmaneser besieges Samaria, Hezekiah escapes with tribute, but Sennacherib of Assyria later invades Judah, besieging its cities. Sennacherib's servant Rab-shakeh taunts Hezekiah through messengers, mocking his faith and offering false promises of deliverance if Judah surrenders peacefully.
Key themes
Key verses
2 Kings 18:3-4
“And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.”
2 Kings 18:5-6
“He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.”
2 Kings 18:13
“Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them.”
2 Kings 18:29-32
“Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand: Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern: Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you, saying, The LORD will deliver us.”
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