CONTENTS
This chapter relates the effect Rab-shakeh's blasphemy had upon the mind of Hezekiah, when it was reported to him. He sends to desire an interest in the prayers of the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah's answer. Sennacherib sends a renewed message of insolence to Hezekiah. The king goes up into the house of the Lord, lays it before the Lord, and prayeth. The Lord, by his servant Isaiah, comforts him, and sends an angel to the destruction of the Assyrians. Sennacherib is slain by his sons.
If the Reader will turn to the parallel history of this memorable event, as it is rehearsed, in 2 Chronicles 32:1-8 he will there find that Hezekiah has been consulting with an arm of flesh, and taking counsel with his princes, how to counteract the stratagem of the king of Assyria. But here we find the pious king got back to the right path of duty, and of safety. He is here beautifully represented as going to the Lord. Reader! mark it down. If we begin with the Lord, and his strength, and his Arm, which is Jesus, then the Lord will bless instruments to our deliverance, and safety. But if, like Hezekiah, we first begin in the flesh, it is a mercy if the Lord strips us of all our hopes, in order to show us where our strength lies. Sweetly dearest Lord, dost thou teach our poor nature these precious things. Isaiah 27:5.