2 Chronicles 32

2 Chronicles 29–32 tells the story of King Hezekiah, and this chapter is its final section. After 2 Chronicles 31 and the preceding chapters describe the cleansing of the temple, the Passover, and the reorganization of the offerings, chapter 32 turns to the Assyrian invasion that came "after these things" (32:1), that is, after Hezekiah's acts of faithfulness.

Outline

• Verses 1–8 Sennacherib attacks the fortified cities of Judah. Hezekiah stops up the water sources outside the city. He also repairs the wall, builds an outer wall, strengthens the Millo, and makes weapons and shields. He then appoints military commanders and encourages the people.
• Verses 9–19 While besieging Lachish, Sennacherib sends his servants to Jerusalem, where they revile the LORD and Hezekiah. Sennacherib also sends letters railing on the LORD, and his servants cry out in the Jews' speech to frighten the people on the wall.
• Verses 20–23 Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cry out in prayer. The LORD sends an angel, who cuts off the mighty men and the commanders in the Assyrian camp. Sennacherib returns to his own land, where his own sons slay him with the sword in the house of his god. Many bring gifts to Jerusalem.
• Verses 24–26 Hezekiah falls ill and prays, and the LORD answers him and gives him a sign. Hezekiah, however, becomes proud and then humbles himself.
• Verses 27–30 The chapter describes Hezekiah's wealth, treasuries, storehouses, and cities. This section also records how he brought the upper watercourse of Gihon down to the west side of the city of David.
• Verse 31 When the princes of Babylon send envoys, God tests Hezekiah.
• Verses 32–33 The chapter names the writings in which Hezekiah's acts are recorded and reports his burial and the accession of Manasseh.

Key Verses

• 2 Chronicles 32:8 "With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God." This is the central confession of the chapter, contrasting human strength with God in a time of crisis.
• 2 Chronicles 32:26 "Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart." This verse reflects the Chronicler's view that outcomes depend on whether one acts in pride or in repentance.
• 2 Chronicles 32:31 "To try him, that he might know all that was in his heart." This verse is often cited in discussions of testing in times of prosperity.

People and Places

• Hezekiah: king of Judah.
• Sennacherib: the Assyrian king who invaded Judah.
• Isaiah the prophet: the prophet who prayed together with Hezekiah. "The son of Amoz" in the text is understood to be a different person from the prophet Amos.
• Manasseh: Hezekiah's son and successor.
• Jerusalem, Assyria, Babylon
• Lachish: a fortified city in southwestern Judah.
• Gihon Spring: a spring on the east side of Jerusalem.

Points for Reflection

The same events are recorded in greater detail in 2 Kings 18–20 and Isaiah 36–39. Second Kings records Hezekiah's payment of tribute to Sennacherib and the number of Assyrian soldiers who died, as well as the shadow going backward as the sign of his healing. Second Chronicles abbreviates or omits these details and concentrates on the themes of reliance on God and of pride and repentance. Sennacherib's campaign against Judah is reportedly attested in Assyrian records as well. The watercourse of verse 30 is commonly identified with the Siloam Tunnel (the so-called Hezekiah's Tunnel). This channel is also associated with the New Testament Pool of Siloam (John 9).

In the Korean Church

Verses 7–8 are frequently cited in sermons on faith that overcomes fear. In such sermons, "there be more with us than with him" is often paired with 1 John 4:4, "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."