2 Chronicles 32:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we see, first, Sennacherib’s serious plan against Hezekiah’s kingdom and his strong attack on it. This Sennacherib, like Nebuchadnezzar later, was a terror and a cruel oppressor in that part of the world. He wanted to build a vast empire for himself by crushing every neighbor around him. His predecessor Shalmaneser had recently conquered the kingdom of Israel and carried away the ten tribes, and Sennacherib hoped to do the same to Judah.

Pride and ambition often make people reach for power over everyone else. It is worth noticing that, around this same time, Rome, the city that later ruled over more kings than any other, was founded by Romulus. Sennacherib invaded Judah right after its reform and the restoration of true religion: “After these things he entered into Judah” (2 Chronicles 32:1). God had a wise purpose in this timing. He did not let this trouble come before the reform was finished, when it might have interrupted the work. He also may have allowed it because Sennacherib wanted to punish Hezekiah for destroying the idolatry he himself loved.

Sennacherib likely saw Hezekiah as a man who had offended God and so could be easily destroyed. But God ordered this threat to come at this very time so he could show his power on behalf of this repentant, reforming people. He brought the danger so he could have the glory of their rescue, and they could also be honored through it. After such a reform, one might have expected perfect peace. Instead, the next news is that a threatening army has entered the land and is ready to ruin everything. We may be doing our duty and still meet danger and trouble. God sometimes allows this to test our trust in him and to show his care for us.

Sennacherib met little resistance as he entered Judah, so he assumed everything would soon be his. He planned to capture all the fortified cities (2 Chronicles 32:1) and then attack Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 32:2; see also 2 Kings 18:7, 13).

Second, we see Hezekiah’s wise preparations for the storm that was coming. He consulted with his princes about what to do (2 Chronicles 32:3). With their advice, he made sure the enemy would not find easy water in the land. That meant the invading army would suffer from thirst, or at least from a shortage of water that would weaken it and make it less able to fight.

A strong army can quickly become helpless if it runs out of water for only a few days. So everyone got to work at once to stop up the fountains and the brook that flowed through the middle of the land. It is likely they also redirected the water into the city through underground pipes. In our day, armies are often weakened in a similar way by destroying the forage before they arrive. Hezekiah also prepared the city itself to defend him. He repaired the wall, built towers, made large numbers of weapons and shields (2 Chronicles 32:5), and appointed captains over the people (2 Chronicles 32:6).

Those who trust God for safety must still use proper means to protect themselves. Otherwise, they are testing God rather than trusting him. God will provide, but we must act wisely too.

Third, Hezekiah strengthened the people so they would depend on God in this crisis. He gathered them in a large open street and spoke encouragingly to them (2 Chronicles 32:6). He himself was calm, because he believed the invasion would end well. He was not like his father, who had too much guilt to steady him and no faith to support him. His father’s heart had shaken in fear, like trees moving in the wind, and so had the people’s hearts (Isaiah 7:2).

Hezekiah’s words gave strength to the people, especially to the captains. He spoke to their hearts, not just to their ears. He tried to quiet their fear: “Be strong and courageous. Do not think about surrendering the city or making terms with the enemy. Hold out to the end. Do not be afraid of the king of Assyria.” The prophet had already encouraged them in God’s name with the same message (Isaiah 10:24), and now the king repeats it for them. At that time, the sinners in Zion were frightened (Isaiah 33:14), but the righteous were safe and steady because they trusted God (Isaiah 33:15, 16). They learned to think through terror until they overcame it, as Isaiah 33:18 shows.

Hezekiah also worked to strengthen their faith, because faith would quiet their fear. “Sennacherib has a large army,” he said in effect, “but we have more with us than he has with him. With him is only human power, which he trusts. With us is the LORD, whose power cannot be resisted. He is our God, whose promise cannot fail. He is in covenant with us to help us and fight our battles, and if he chooses, he can fight for us directly.” And that is what he did here.

A strong trust in God lifts us above the fear of man. Whoever fears the oppressor forgets the LORD, his Maker (Isaiah 51:12, 13). Hezekiah likely said even more than this, and the people rested on his words, not just because he was their king, but because they believed what he said about God’s presence and power. That truth made them calm. Let the good subjects and soldiers of Jesus Christ rest in the same way on his word, and boldly say, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”