Merriam-Webster.com defines psychological warfare as things that are done to make some (such as an enemy or opponent) become less confident or to feel hopeless, afraid, etc.
This type of behavior can be overt or subtle.
Have you ever experienced psychological warfare?
How did you respond to it?
Have you ever practiced psychological warfare on another person?
How did they respond to you?
Today we will study a passage that provides an example of psychological warfare as practiced by the military officers of the King of Assyria against King Hezekiah of Jerusalem, even though Hezekiah had already paid him a financial tribute.
Have You Experienced Psychological Warfare?
A Study on 2 Kings 18:17-37 | Study Questions
Prior to our passage for today, we learn that King Hezekiah of Jerusalem had rebelled against the king of Assyria. (2 Kings 18:7)
Then in 2 Kings 18:9-10 we learn that the king of Assyria, Shalmaneser, had attacked and conquered Samaria, the northern tribes of Israel, by the sixth year of Hezekiah’s reign. Scripture states clearly that this happened because the northern tribes of Israel disobeyed and transgressed the Lord’s covenant. (2 Kings 18:11-12)
Then in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign, a new king of Assyria, Sennacherib, turns his attention toward conquering Judah. Having seen that Shalmaneser had deported the northern tribes, Hezekiah responded to Sennacherib’s attack by sending silver and gold to give to the king of Assyria.
But this attempt to appease the king of Assyria did not work.
And the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rab-saris, and the Rabshakeh with a great army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. When they arrived, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is on the highway to the Washer’s Field. 18 And when they called for the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebnah the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder. [1]
What is the king of Assyria’s intention?
Why didn’t Hezekiah come out himself as asked?
And the Rabshakeh said to them, “Say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours? 20 Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me? 21 Behold, you are trusting now in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him.[2]
What is the Rabshakeh attempting to do here?
But if you say to me, “We trust in the Lord our God,” is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, “You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem”?[3]
What is wrong about this statement by the Rabshakeh? (See 2 Kings 18:2-7)
Come now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them. 24 How then can you repulse a single captain among the least of my master’s servants, when you trust in Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? 25 Moreover, is it without the Lord that I have come up against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, “Go up against this land and destroy it.” ’ ” [4]
Explain this taunt.
Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Do not speak to us in the language of Judah within the hearing of the people who are on the wall.”[5]
Why did Eliakim, Shebnah, and Joah make this request?
But the Rabshakeh said to them, “Has my master sent me to speak these words to your master and to you, and not to the men sitting on the wall, who are doomed with you to eat their own dung and to drink their own urine?”
Describe the level of confidence found in the Rabshakeh and how they think they are intimidating the residents of Jerusalem.
28 Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah: “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! 29 Thus says the king: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you out of my hand. 30 Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord by saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’ [6]
How is the Rabshakeh attempting to undermine King Hezekiah?
Do not listen to Hezekiah, for thus says the king of Assyria: ‘Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own cistern, 32 until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey, that you may live, and not die.[7]
How believable is this proposal based on 2 Kings 18:11-12?
And do not listen to Hezekiah when he misleads you by saying, “The Lord will deliver us.” 33 Has any of the gods of the nations ever delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 34 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivvah? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? 35 Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’ ” [8]
How is this a sign of arrogance by the Rabshakeh?
But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s command was, “Do not answer him.” 37 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn and told him the words of the Rabshakeh. [9]
Explain why the people of Jerusalem remained silent using the verse above and 2 Kings 18:3-7.
What is the meaning of torn clothes as a reaction to their situation?
Have You Experienced Psychological Warfare?
A Study on 2 Kings 18:17-37 | Application
Hezekiah had initially rebelled but then resubmitted by paying a tribute to the Assyrians after seeing them conquer the northern tribes of Israel. Yet the Assyrians still attacked Jerusalem.
Was there anything in the above verses that revealed God was working through this situation of psychological warfare by the Assyrians for the betterment of the residents of Jerusalem and King Hezekiah?
Now reflect on your own life. How has God been with you when facing psychological warfare, no matter whether it was subtle or overt?
The tactics used by the Rabshakeh mirror the tactics Satan used in Genesis 3:1-6. How can you resist these same temptations, like Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem did, today?
Join me next week as we continue to study this narrative.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
PS On Saturday, January 31, 2026, I shared a podcast on my social media, but thought I’d also share it here for those who may only follow my blog. In this podcast, I am interviewed on the tough topic of suicide. Go to Fridays at First Podcast for January 30, 2026 to listen. May you be encouraged in your own faith journey, no matter what trials you may have experienced.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:17–18.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:19–21.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:22.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:23–25.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:26.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:27–30.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:31–32.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:32–35.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), 2 Ki 18:36–37.
Very interesting study and applicable to today’s turmoil in Minnesota. Am wondering what the torn clothes signify
Tearing one’s clothes is symbol of mourning and humility before the Lord. Thanks for leaving a comment.