2 Kings 19:16
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Hezekiah isn't just asking God to listen; he's pleading for God to pay attention and examine the situation, calling out the enemy's words specifically as an attack on the living God – highlighting the audacity of mocking the one who is truly alive and powerful. This plea underscores that the conflict isn't just political, but a cosmic showdown between the true God and arrogant human pride.
King Hezekiah and Jerusalem are facing an overwhelming Assyrian invasion led by King Sennacherib, who has already conquered many surrounding cities. Sennacherib has sent a blasphemous message directly to Hezekiah, mocking God and threatening Jerusalem's destruction. This prayer is Hezekiah's desperate plea to God, highlighting the immense pressure and the direct challenge to God's honor.
Hezekiah isn't just asking for help; he's crying out when the very reputation of God is on the line. What does this tell us about prayer?
A Cry from the Brink
Hezekiah's prayer in 2 Kings 19:16 is raw and urgent. He's facing the Assyrian king Sennacherib, whose army is at the gates of Jerusalem. Sennacherib hasn't just threatened the city; he's openly mocked the God of Israel.
The Heart of the Plea
Notice the repetition: "Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see... hear the words of Sennacherib."
This shows us that prayer isn't just about our needs, but also about God's glory. When God's name is attacked, His people have a right, even a responsibility, to bring it before Him.
Sennacherib's taunts weren't just political threats; they were direct insults aimed at the very nature of God. Why is this so significant?
The Ultimate Insult
Sennacherib's messengers brought words designed to break Hezekiah's spirit and undermine faith in the LORD. They boasted about the Assyrian victories over other nations and their gods, implying that the God of Judah would be no different.
The God Who Lives
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenant name of God in the Old Testament, signifying His self-existence, faithfulness, and relationship with His people. It is the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush.
azan · Hebrew Verb
A metaphorical way of asking God to pay attention or listen with favor, implying an active response to the prayers of His people. It attributes human sensory characteristics to God to express His personal engagement.
chay Elohim · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title emphasizing God's vitality, authority, and power, contrasting Him with the lifeless idols of pagan nations. He is the Creator and Sustainer who is actively involved in human history.
charaph · Hebrew Verb
This prayer from King Hezekiah occurs during a moment of extreme crisis, as the mighty Assyrian army under Sennacherib surrounds Jerusalem, spewing blasphemies. The historical context highlights the stark contrast between human military power and faith in the living God.
c. 705-681 BC
Sennacherib's Reign as Assyrian King
Sennacherib, son of Sargon II, became the powerful king of the Assyrian Empire. He was known for his military campaigns and massive building projects, particularly in his capital city, Nineveh.
701 BC
Assyrian Campaign in the Levant
Sennacherib launched a major military campaign across the Levant, subjugating numerous cities and kingdoms that had rebelled or withheld tribute. This campaign aimed to solidify Assyrian control over the region.
701 BC
Siege of Lachish
Sennacherib's forces besieged and conquered the heavily fortified Judean city of Lachish. Assyrian records and reliefs depict the brutal efficiency of this siege, showcasing Assyrian military might.
701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Threat to Jerusalem
After conquering Lachish, Sennacherib advanced his army towards Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. He sent his officials with a defiant message demanding unconditional surrender, mocking God's ability to protect His people.
This Psalm echoes the prayer of Hezekiah, directly asking God to 'incline your ear' and 'answer me' because of his own 'affliction and need.' It highlights the deep personal cry for divine attention in times of distress.
Isaiah 37:17This is the parallel account of Hezekiah's prayer in Isaiah, showing the same plea to God to 'hear the words that Sennacherib has sent to mock the living God.' It reinforces the gravity of the blasphemy and the need for God's intervention.
Psalm 74:10-11This passage directly confronts the taunts of enemies against God, crying out, 'How long, O God, will the enemy revile? ... Why do you hold back your hand, from your[a] right hand, pluck it out of your bosom?' It mirrors the sentiment of 2 Kings 19:16, where the enemy's insults demand God's visible action.
Jeremiah 10:10This verse declares that the LORD is the 'true God, the living God and the eternal King,' directly contrasting with the enemy's attempt to mock the living God. It serves as a foundational truth that underscores the audacity of Sennacherib's challenge.
Hezekiah isn't just asking God to listen; he's pleading for God to pay attention and examine the situation, calling out the enemy's words specifically as an attack on the living God – highlighting the audacity of mocking the one who is truly alive and powerful. This plea underscores that the conflict isn't just political, but a cosmic showdown between the true God and arrogant human pride.
King Hezekiah and Jerusalem are facing an overwhelming Assyrian invasion led by King Sennacherib, who has already conquered many surrounding cities. Sennacherib has sent a blasphemous message directly to Hezekiah, mocking God and threatening Jerusalem's destruction. This prayer is Hezekiah's desperate plea to God, highlighting the immense pressure and the direct challenge to God's honor.
King Hezekiah and Jerusalem are facing an overwhelming Assyrian invasion led by King Sennacherib, who has already conquered many surrounding cities. Sennacherib has sent a blasphemous message directly to Hezekiah, mocking God and threatening Jerusalem's destruction. This prayer is Hezekiah's desperate plea to God, highlighting the immense pressure and the direct challenge to God's honor.
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The phrase "the living God" is crucial here. Sennacherib's message essentially said: "Your God is powerless, just like the idols of other nations. He can't save you."
This highlights a vital truth: Christianity isn't just about a set of rules or a historical figure. It's about a relationship with the Almighty, the Creator, the One who truly lives and reigns. When His character or power is questioned, it strikes at the heart of our faith.
To treat with contempt, ridicule, or blasphemous disdain. In a biblical context, it often refers to arrogant defiance against the Creator and His sovereign authority.
c. 701 BC
Divine Intervention and Assyrian Withdrawal
According to the biblical account, an angel of the LORD struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight, forcing Sennacherib to lift the siege and return to Nineveh. Sennacherib's own records mention receiving tribute from King Hezekiah but do not detail the destruction of his army or the lifting of the siege in the same way.
"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." — Hezekiah isn't just asking God to listen; he's pleading for God to pay attention and examine the situation, calling out the enemy's words specifically as an attack on the living God – highlig…
