John Calvin Commentary Isaiah 36:11

"Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews` language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall." — Isaiah 36:11 (ASV)

Then said Eliakim. This circumstance again shows how deeply Hezekiah was depressed, when by his ambassador he so humbly entreats the servant of his enemy. It also shows with what pride Rabshakeh was puffed up, when he so insolently rejected all entreaties; and the refusal was the more shameful because what was requested was not of great value.

From these matters we learn that it was not due to Hezekiah that he did not pacify the rage of the enemy; for, almost forgetful of his royal rank, Hezekiah endeavors with all possible modesty to soothe him. If at any time we happen to be oppressed by unjust violence, let us not be ashamed to yield up our rights and to supplicate with humility.

Now, when Hezekiah was so submissive because he saw that he was unable to resist the king of Assyria, this powerfully tends to magnify the glory of God in preserving a nation that was nearly ruined. For that deliverance would have been less remarkable if they had been rescued only from an ordinary danger; but when they were not far from destruction, all the more manifest is the hand of God, who by an extraordinary miracle subdued and ruined an enemy that had already set his feet on their neck (2 Kings 19:31).

Speak, I pray you, to your servants in the Syrian language. They request that he will not speak in this manner in the presence of the people, because it is difficult to restrain a people naturally giddy and fickle, for they are easily moved, and tremble at the smallest alarm.

They would have wished that Rabshakeh should not speak to them in the Jewish language, because they were desirous of entering into any moderate terms of peace. For that good king tried every method of calming the rage of that tyrant, but without any success. These ambassadors therefore gain nothing from Rabshakeh; when he is entreated, he grows worse, and (as is usually the case with haughty men) becomes more insolent.