In 2 Kings 19, King Hezekiah of Judah receives a threatening message from the Assyrian King Sennacherib, who mocks the God of Israel. Distressed, Hezekiah goes to the temple and prays for deliverance (19:1-4). He also sends messengers to the prophet Isaiah, seeking his counsel (19:2).

Isaiah responds with a message from God, assuring Hezekiah that Sennacherib will not succeed and that God will defend the city (19:6-7). Sennacherib, meanwhile, sends another threatening letter to Hezekiah, urging him to surrender (19:8-13).

Hezekiah takes the letter to the temple, spreads it out before the Lord, and prays for deliverance, highlighting God’s sovereignty and asking Him to save Judah for His own sake (19:14-19).

Isaiah then delivers a prophecy against Sennacherib, declaring that God has heard Hezekiah’s prayer and that Sennacherib’s arrogance will lead to his downfall (19:20-28). God promises that He will protect Jerusalem and that the Assyrian army will not enter the city (19:32-34).

That night, an angel of the Lord strikes down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, causing Sennacherib to retreat to Nineveh (19:35-36). Later, while worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, Sennacherib is assassinated by his own sons (19:37).

Life Applications

1. Turning to God in Times of Crisis (19:1-4): When faced with overwhelming threats or challenges, Hezekiah’s immediate reaction is to seek God’s help. This teaches us to turn to God first in our moments of crisis, trusting in His power and guidance.
2. Seeking Wise Counsel (19:2): Hezekiah seeks the counsel of the prophet Isaiah, showing the importance of seeking wise and godly advice when making decisions, especially in difficult times.
3. Faith in God’s Promises (19:6-7): God’s assurance through Isaiah that Sennacherib will not prevail demonstrates the importance of having faith in God’s promises, even when circumstances seem dire.
4. Prayer and Surrender (19:14-19): Hezekiah’s act of spreading out Sennacherib’s letter before the Lord is a powerful example of bringing our troubles to God in prayer, fully surrendering our problems to His will.
5. God’s Sovereignty and Power (19:20-28): The prophecy against Sennacherib reveals that God is in control of all nations and rulers. Trusting in God’s sovereignty can give us peace, knowing that He holds ultimate power over all situations.
6. Deliverance by God’s Hand (19:35): The miraculous defeat of the Assyrian army reminds us that God can deliver us from our enemies and difficulties in ways we might never expect. It encourages us to trust in His ability to act on our behalf.
7. Consequences of Arrogance (19:22-28, 37): Sennacherib’s arrogance and blasphemy against God lead to his downfall. This serves as a warning against pride and disrespect towards God, highlighting the importance of humility and reverence.

By applying these lessons from 2 Kings 19, we can develop a deeper faith and trust in God’s sovereignty, seek His guidance in times of trouble, and live with the assurance that He is always in control.