Commentators explain that the Assyrian envoy's list of defeated cities (Hamath, Arpad, Sepharvaim) was not random. By naming nearby, familiar places, he aimed to create maximum psychological pressure on the people of Jerusalem. His message was clear: "Your neighbors' gods couldn't save them, and your God won't save you either." This demonstrates a common tactic of God's enemies: using past evidence to instill fear and doubt.