◄ 2 Chronicles 32:23 ►
Many brought offerings to Jerusalem for the LORD and valuable gifts for Hezekiah king of Judah, and from then on he was exalted in the eyes of all nations.
Study Bible
Many brought offerings to Jerusalem for the LORD
This phrase highlights the response of the surrounding nations to the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian army. The offerings brought to Jerusalem signify recognition of the LORD's power and sovereignty. In the ancient Near East, it was common for nations to bring tributes to a deity or temple after witnessing a divine act. This act of bringing offerings aligns with the biblical principle of acknowledging God's intervention and blessing, as seen in other instances such as the dedication of the temple by Solomon (1 Kings 8:62-66).

and valuable gifts for Hezekiah king of Judah
Hezekiah's leadership and faith in God during the Assyrian threat earned him respect and admiration. The valuable gifts symbolize political alliances and respect for Hezekiah's role as a king who trusts in the LORD. This mirrors the gifts brought to Solomon by the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1-10), indicating a recognition of wisdom and divine favor. The gifts also reflect the cultural practice of honoring a victorious leader with treasures, a common custom in ancient diplomacy.

and from then on he was exalted in the eyes of all nations
Hezekiah's exaltation among the nations underscores the impact of God's deliverance on international relations. This phrase suggests a shift in the geopolitical landscape, where Judah, under Hezekiah's rule, becomes a focal point of admiration and respect. The exaltation of Hezekiah can be seen as a type of Christ, prefiguring the ultimate exaltation of Jesus, who is recognized by all nations as King of Kings (Philippians 2:9-11). This also fulfills the Abrahamic promise that through Israel, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hezekiah
The king of Judah during this time, known for his faithfulness to God and his reforms to restore proper worship in Judah.

2. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, where the temple of the LORD was located and where offerings were brought.

3. The LORD
The God of Israel, who is worshiped and honored through the offerings brought by the people.

4. Nations
Refers to the surrounding nations that recognized the power and favor of God upon Hezekiah and Judah.

5. Offerings and Gifts
These were brought to honor God and to show respect and allegiance to King Hezekiah.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness Brings Favor
Hezekiah's dedication to God resulted in divine favor and respect from other nations. Our faithfulness to God can also lead to His blessings and influence in our lives.

Influence Through Godliness
Hezekiah's godly leadership attracted the attention and respect of surrounding nations. As believers, our godly character can be a powerful witness to those around us.

The Power of Worship
The offerings brought to Jerusalem signify the importance of worship and honoring God. Regular worship and giving are vital aspects of our relationship with God.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The respect Hezekiah received from other nations demonstrates God's control and influence over all nations. We can trust in God's sovereignty in global affairs today.

Legacy of Leadership
Hezekiah's leadership left a lasting impact on Judah and the surrounding nations. Our leadership, whether in families, churches, or communities, can leave a legacy that honors God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How did Hezekiah's faithfulness to God influence the surrounding nations, and what can we learn from this about the impact of our own faithfulness?

2. In what ways can we bring "offerings" to God today, and how do these acts of worship affect our relationship with Him?

3. How does Hezekiah's account encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty over the nations and global events?

4. What characteristics of Hezekiah's leadership can we apply to our own roles as leaders in various aspects of life?

5. How can we ensure that our legacy, like Hezekiah's, reflects a life dedicated to God and influences others positively?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 18-20
Provides a parallel account of Hezekiah's reign, including his reforms and the miraculous deliverance from the Assyrians.

Isaiah 37
Describes the prophecy and fulfillment of God's deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat.

Psalm 72:10-11
Speaks of kings bringing gifts and bowing before a righteous king, which can be seen as a foreshadowing of the respect shown to Hezekiah.

Proverbs 14:34
Highlights how righteousness exalts a nation, which is evident in Hezekiah's reign as he led Judah in faithfulness to God.
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
Bringing, Choice, Exalted, Gifts, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Highly, Honoured, Jerusalem, Judah, Lifted, Magnified, Nations, Numbers, Offering, Offerings, Onward, Precious, Presents, Price, Regarded, Sight, Thenceforth, Thereafter, Valuable
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 32:23

     5325   gifts

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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