A Study of 2 Kings 19:1-19
How do you respond to trouble when it arrives on your doorstep?
Are you quick to crumble or stand firm?
Does it depend on the type of trouble?
Why do you think you are prone either way?
Today we will study King Hezekiah’s response to the psychological warfare he and the residents of Jerusalem experienced from the King of Assyria.
I believe King Hezekiah’s response is the best response to trouble.
The Best Response to Trouble
A Study of 2 Kings 19:1-19 | Study Questions
19:1 As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord. 2 And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz.[1]
What had King Hezekiah heard? (See 2 Kings 18:19-35)
How did King Hezekiah respond to what he had heard?
Explain the significance of tearing one’s clothes and covering oneself with sackcloth before the Lord. (Also see 1 Peter 5:6)
Who is Isaiah, and why did King Hezekiah send his officials and senior priests to him? (See Isaiah 1:1; 2:1; and 13:1)
3They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, This day is a day of distress, of rebuke, and of disgrace; children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to bring them forth. 4 It may be that the Lord your God heard all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke the words that the Lord your God has heard; therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.”[2]
Using verse 3, how were Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem feeling about their circumstances?
What is Hezekiah’s hope from God? Why?
How does Hezekiah believe Isaiah can help in this situation?
5When the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah, 6 Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have reviled me. 7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’ ”[3]
How does Isaiah encourage King Hezekiah in verse six?
What action does the Lord promise to take against the king of Assyria?
8 The Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he heard that the king had left Lachish. 9 Now the king heard concerning Tirhakah king of Cush, “Behold, he has set out to fight against you.” So he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying, 10 “Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.[4]
What was the rumor that the Lord sent the king of Assyria?
How does the king of Assyria continue to taunt Hezekiah, the residents of Jerusalem, and Israel’s God?
11 Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, devoting them to destruction. And shall you be delivered? 12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them, the nations that my fathers destroyed, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar? 13 Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, the king of Hena, or the king of Ivvah?’ ” [5]
Why does the king of Assyria think he can conquer Jerusalem?
14 Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord.[6]
Why does Hezekiah spread this letter from the king of Assyria before the Lord?
What does this action reveal about Hezekiah’s faith in the Lord?
15 And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said: “O Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. 16 Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God.[7]
How does Hezekiah describe God?
What does Hezekiah think of the king of Assyria’s words?
Explain Hezekiah’s hope at this point.
17 Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands 18 and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. 19 So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.” [8]
What does Hezekiah believe is different about the God of Israel compared to the gods of the nations and lands that Assyria had already conquered?
How does Hezekiah appeal to the Lord’s glory in verse nineteen?
The Best Response to Trouble
A Study of 2 Kings 19:1-19 | Application Questions
As I read through commentaries in preparing this post, more than one described Hezekiah as a worrywart. But I disagree.
Yes, humanly speaking, Hezekiah and the city of Jerusalem would naturally respond with trepidation at being surrounded by the vast army and taunts made by the King of Assyria and his officials.
But 2 Kings 18:3-16 introduces Hezekiah as a man who deeply trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. Then, in 2 Kings 19:4, Hezekiah states that he’s concerned that the Assyrians had ridiculed the Lord. Yes, the army and threats issued by the Assyrians were scary, but what was more important to Hezekiah was the Lord’s honor.
Again, in 2 Kings 19:16, Hezekiah points out in his prayer that the King of Assyria has insulted the Lord. He then states clearly who he believes the Lord truly is.
I believe Hezekiah’s response to the trouble he was facing is essential for a person of faith. Turning to the Lord for help is not a sign of being a worrywart. Rather, it is a sign of an extremely solid faith in the only being who can truly overcome any obstacle.
Early during my process of healing from the loss of my husband to suicide, I raised the question, “How does this situation glorify God?” Immediately, the answer I received in my soul was how I respond to the situation is what will glorify God.
My husband’s action was one of severe mental illness. God is a gracious God who knows what was happening inside my husband’s mind and heart better than anyone else. I am confident my husband is in the Lord’s presence today, just as any other believer who has died because of any other type of illness.
Humbling myself, clinging to God, and asking him how I can glorify him through my healing from the pain of tragic loss is my best response to trouble as well.
What did you learn from King Hezekiah’s response to his trouble that can help you in your own troubles?
Do you agree that humbling oneself and seeking the Lord’s help is the best response to trouble? Why or why not?
Heavenly Father, most gracious and holy God. Thank you for the example of Hezekiah’s deep faith and trust in You as his best response to trouble in his life. Help each of us turn to you humbly and faithfully when trouble comes. May we take heart and courage because of the words of Jesus, your Son, from John 16:33: In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart: I have overcome the world. Amen.
Post a prayer to the Lord in the comments below that shares your confidence in the Lord as well.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 19:1–2.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 19:3–4.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 19:5–7.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 19:8–10.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 19:11–13.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 19:14.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 19:15–16.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 19:17–19.