◄ 2 Chronicles 32:17 ►
He also wrote letters mocking the LORD, the God of Israel, and saying against Him: "Just as the gods of the nations did not deliver their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my hand."
Study Bible
He also wrote letters mocking the LORD, the God of Israel,
This phrase refers to King Sennacherib of Assyria, who sent letters to King Hezekiah and the people of Judah. The act of writing letters was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern diplomacy and warfare, often used to intimidate or demoralize opponents. Sennacherib's mockery of the LORD reflects the Assyrian belief in the superiority of their gods and military might. This is a direct challenge to the God of Israel, who is often depicted in the Bible as the one true God, superior to all other deities (Isaiah 37:10-13).

and saying against Him:
Sennacherib's words are not just against Hezekiah or Judah but are a direct affront to God Himself. This highlights the spiritual battle underlying the physical conflict. In the biblical narrative, such blasphemy is often met with divine retribution, as God defends His honor and the faith of His people (Exodus 14:14).

“Just as the gods of the nations did not deliver their people from my hand,
Sennacherib references his previous conquests, where the gods of other nations failed to protect them from Assyrian domination. This reflects the common ancient belief that military success was a sign of a god's power. However, the Bible consistently portrays the God of Israel as unique and sovereign, not limited by the failures of other deities (Psalm 96:5).

so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my hand.”
This statement is a direct challenge to the faith of Hezekiah and the people of Judah. It tests their trust in God's promises and power. Historically, Hezekiah was known for his religious reforms and faithfulness to God (2 Kings 18:5-6). The narrative sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention, as seen later in the chapter, where God delivers Judah from the Assyrian threat (2 Chronicles 32:21). This event foreshadows the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ, who conquers sin and death, offering salvation to all who believe (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Sennacherib
The Assyrian king who invaded Judah and sent letters to mock the God of Israel, attempting to demoralize the people and undermine their faith.

2. Hezekiah
The king of Judah during Sennacherib's invasion, known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to reform the religious practices of Judah.

3. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, which was under siege by Sennacherib's forces during this event.

4. Assyria
A powerful empire during this period, known for its military conquests and attempts to expand its territory, including the invasion of Judah.

5. The God of Israel
The one true God whom Sennacherib blasphemed, comparing Him to the powerless gods of other nations.
Teaching Points
The Power of Words
Sennacherib's letters were intended to instill fear and doubt. As believers, we must guard our hearts against words that challenge our faith and trust in God.

God's Sovereignty
Despite Sennacherib's boasts, God demonstrated His power and sovereignty. We can trust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem dire.

Faith in Adversity
Hezekiah's response to seek God in prayer is a model for us. In times of trouble, our first response should be to turn to God, trusting in His deliverance.

The Futility of Idolatry
Sennacherib's comparison of God to idols highlights the futility of trusting in anything other than the one true God. We must examine our lives for any "idols" that may be competing for our trust.

God's Faithfulness
The deliverance of Jerusalem is a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises. We can be assured that God will fulfill His promises to us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Sennacherib's attitude toward the God of Israel reflect the common misconceptions about God in today's world?

2. In what ways can we apply Hezekiah's response to adversity in our own lives when facing challenges?

3. How does the account of Sennacherib's defeat encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty over the nations and rulers of the world?

4. What are some modern-day "idols" that people might trust in instead of God, and how can we guard against this in our own lives?

5. How can we use the example of God's deliverance of Jerusalem to strengthen our faith in His promises and faithfulness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 19
This chapter provides a parallel account of Sennacherib's invasion and Hezekiah's response, including his prayer and God's deliverance.

Isaiah 37
Isaiah's prophecy concerning the defeat of Sennacherib, reinforcing the message of God's sovereignty and power over earthly rulers.

Psalm 46
A psalm of trust in God's protection, often associated with the events of Sennacherib's siege, emphasizing God's presence and strength.
Sermons
Sennacherib and Hezekiah: Abasement and ExaltationW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 32:9-23
The Invasion of Sennacherib: 2. the Great DeliveranceT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 32:16-23
People
Amoz, David, Hezekiah, Isaiah, Manasseh, Sennacherib
Places
Assyria, Babylon, Gihon, Jerusalem, Lachish, Millo
Topics
Able, Addition, Cast, Contempt, Countries, Deliver, Delivered, Evil, Gods, Hands, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Insult, Insulting, Lands, Letter, Letters, Nations, Peoples, Rail, Reproach, Rescue, Safe, Saying, Shame, Speak, Taunt, Written, Wrote
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 32:17

     5292   defence, divine
     5391   letters

2 Chronicles 32:1-22

     5305   empires

2 Chronicles 32:9-19

     7240   Jerusalem, history

2 Chronicles 32:13-22

     5937   rivalry

2 Chronicles 32:16-19

     5893   insults

Library
A Strange Reward for Faithfulness
After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came.'--2 CHRON. XXXII. 1. The Revised Version gives a much more accurate and significant rendering of a part of these words. It reads: 'After these things and this faithfulness, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came.' What are 'these things' and 'this faithfulness'? The former are the whole of the events connected with the religious reformation in Judah, which King Hezekiah inaugurated and carried through so brilliantly …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Some Buildings in Acra. Bezeiha. Millo.
Mount Sion did not thrust itself so far eastward as mount Acra: and hence it is, that mount Moriah is said, by Josephus, to be "situate over-against Acra," rather than over-against the Upper City: for, describing Acra thus, which we produced before, "There is another hill, called Acra, which bears the Lower City upon it, steep on both sides": in the next words he subjoins this, "Over-against this was a third hill," speaking of Moriah. The same author thus describes the burning of the Lower City: …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
The Medes and Cimmerians: Lydia--The conquest of Egypt, of Arabia, and of Elam. As we have already seen, Sennacherib reigned for eight years after his triumph; eight years of tranquillity at home, and of peace with all his neighbours abroad. If we examine the contemporary monuments or the documents of a later period, and attempt to glean from them some details concerning the close of his career, we find that there is a complete absence of any record of national movement on the part of either Elam, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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