Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 32

Verses 1-33

2 Chronicles 32:1-23 Sennacherib’s Invasion of Judah 2 Chronicles 32:1-23 records Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah. The Jews had just returned to God, so that they were prepared itself to fight the Lord's battles. If we do not prepare ourselves spiritually we will be overcome by flesh and Satan and lose the Lord's battles.

This story is a good illustration of 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Heal their land (2 Chronicles 30:20)

Hear their prayer (2 Chronicles 30:27)

Forgive their sin (2 Chronicles 30:18-19)

Why?

They humbled themselves (2 Chronicles 30:11)

They prayed (2 Chronicles 30:18)

They sought God’s face (2 Chronicles 29:20)

They turned from their wicked ways (2 Chronicles 29:15-19)

2 Chronicles 32:1 After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.

2 Chronicles 32:1 Comments - How had Hezekiah become established in God? He led the people to worship and praise God, (2 Chronicles 29:28), to deal with sins, (2 Chronicles 29:24), to sanctify themselves (2 Chronicles 29:15), to pray (2 Chronicles 30:18) and intercede, and to teach the Word (2 Chronicles 30:22).

2 Chronicles 32:31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

2 Chronicles 32:31 Comments - When Hezekiah began his reign as king over Israel, the Scriptures tell us that the Lord was with him (2 Kings 18:7). However, there came a season in his life when Hezekiah’s heart was lifted up with pride (2 Chronicles 32:24-26). Therefore, the Lord had to bring about circumstances that humbled the king. God chose to remove Himself for a season so that Hezekiah would realize his need and dependence upon the Lord, and repent and turn back to Him.

2 Kings 18:7, “And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.”

God wants us to pursue Him, which is a sign of our love and devotion and dependence upon Him; for God wants our fellowship. The angel of the Lord pull away from Jacob, but the patriarch wrestled with the angel until he received a blessing (Genesis 32:24-30). The Lord revealed Himself to Isaiah as “a God that hidest thyself” (Isaiah 45:15). Jesus did not stay with the Samaritans until they urged Him (John 4:40). When Jesus came walking on the water towards the disciples in the boat during a storm, He made as if He were going to pas by them. They cried out to Him and He came (Mark 6:48).

Isaiah 45:15, “Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.”

John 4:40, “So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.”

Mark 6:48, “And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.”