Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Kings 19
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Kings 19
Albert Barnes Commentary
2 Kings 19
"And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of Jehovah." — 2 Kings 19:1 (ASV)
Hezekiah, like his officers, probably tore his clothes because of Rabshakeh’s blasphemies, and he put on sackcloth in self-humiliation and grief. His only remaining hope was in Yahweh, for Egypt could not be trusted to accomplish anything significant.
Rabshakeh’s boldness had taken its toll on Hezekiah; he was dispirited and dejected. He perhaps began to doubt whether he had done right in yielding to the bolder counsel of Eliakim and Isaiah. He had not lost his faith in God, but it was being severely tested. Wisely, he went to strengthen his faith through prayer.
"And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz." — 2 Kings 19:2 (ASV)
Isaiah is introduced into the history here for the first time. His own writings show that he had taken an active part in these events for many years. This was the fourth reign since he began his prophecies. During at least two of those reigns—those of Ahaz and Hezekiah—he had been a familiar counselor to the king.
He had probably counseled the revolt from Assyria and encouraged the king and people to persevere in their resistance. The exact date of prophecies can seldom be fixed with any certainty, but we can scarcely be mistaken in regarding the prophecies in Isaiah chapters 10, 30, and 31 as written around the time of Hezekiah’s second revolt.
"And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of contumely; for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth." — 2 Kings 19:3 (ASV)
The "trouble" consisted of "rebuke" (or rather, "chastisement") for sins at the hand of God, and "blasphemy" (or rather, "reproach") at the hands of men.
The children... — that is, "We are in a fearful extremity—at our last gasp—and we lack the strength to carry us through the danger."
"It may be Jehovah thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to defy the living God, and will rebuke the words which Jehovah thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left." — 2 Kings 19:4 (ASV)
Will hear – That is, he will show that he has heard; he will notice and punish.
The living God – See the note on 1 Samuel 17:26.
And will reprove the words – Rather, he will reprove him for the words.
The remnant – That is, the kingdom of Judah, the only remnant of God’s people that was left after Galilee, Gilead, and Samaria had all been carried away captive.
"Behold, I will put a spirit in him, and he shall hear tidings, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land." — 2 Kings 19:7 (ASV)
Will send a blast upon him — Rather, “I will put a spirit in him”—that is, “I will take from him his present pride and will put in him a new spirit, a spirit of craven fear.” Men will tell him of the destruction that has come upon his host (2 Kings 19:35), and he will immediately return, etc.
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