John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 36:1

"Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah, and took them." — Isaiah 36:1 (ASV)

It happened in the fourteenth year. In this and the following chapter, the Prophet relates a remarkable history, which may be regarded as the seal of his doctrine. In this doctrine, he predicted the calamities that would befall his nation and, at the same time, promised that God would be merciful to them, would drive back the Assyrians, and would defend Jerusalem and the Holy Land. What had already been accomplished made it evident that he had not spoken in vain, for God intended that this history should also be testified to posterity. Indeed, for the people of that age, it was no less advantageous that such a record should be preserved.

The Prophet had often threatened that God's vengeance was near and that the Assyrians were ready at His bidding to be employed by Him as scourges. At the same time, He promised that He would assist Jerusalem even when matters had come to the worst. Both were accomplished. Yet, the greater part of the nation passed by these evident judgments of God as if with closed eyes, and just as basely despised the assistance that was offered to them. Their gross stupidity was all the more inexcusable.

But for the small number of believers, it was advantageous to perceive such illustrious proofs of God's hand, so that greater credit might afterward be given to Isaiah. The Prophet also could then pursue his course more ardently and with unshaken firmness, since God had given so splendid an attestation of his doctrine from heaven.

And because God's truth scarcely obtains from us the honor due to it unless it is supported by strong proofs, God has also provided generously for our weakness. This allows us to perceive, as in a mirror, that God's power accompanied Isaiah's words and that what he taught on earth was confirmed from heaven.

More especially, his calling was manifestly sealed when God delivered Jerusalem from the grievous siege of Sennacherib, at a time when no hope of safety remained. Believers then saw that they had been rescued from the jaws of death by God's hand alone. For this reason, I have said that this event was a seal to authenticate the prophecies that might otherwise have been called into question.

In the fourteenth year. Not without reason does the Prophet specify the time when these things happened. At that time, Hezekiah had restored the worship of God throughout all his dominions (2 Kings 18:4). Not satisfied with this, he sent messengers in various directions to invite the Israelites to come quickly from every place to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices. His aim was that, after long disunion, they would unite again in holy harmony of faith and worship God according to the Law's injunctions.

While the kingdom was in this condition—superstitions removed, the Temple cleansed, and thus the true worship of God restored—Judea was invaded by the king of Assyria. Fields were pillaged, cities were taken, and the whole country fell under his authority. Jerusalem alone, with a few inhabitants, was left, and in that city, Hezekiah was shut up as in a prison.

We must now consider what thoughts might have occurred to the pious king and to other people. For if we judge this calamity according to fleshly perception, we will think God was unjust in allowing His servant to be reduced to such extremities. The king's piety seemed to deserve that the Lord would preserve him in safety and free from all trouble, since his whole desire was to maintain the true worship of God.

This was no small trial of Hezekiah's faith and ought to be continually before our eyes when we are subjected to similar temptations. The Lord did not punish Hezekiah for carelessness, pleasures, or luxury, and much less for superstitions or unholy contempt of the Law. As soon as he began to reign, he labored with the utmost zeal, care, and industry to restore the purity of religion. God, therefore, intended to test his faith and patience.