Study Desk

King Hezekiah and his officers ordered the Levites to praise the Lord , using the words David and Asaph the seer had used. So they praised God with joy and bowed down and worshiped.

And Hezekiah and the people were very happy that God had made it happen so quickly for his people.

King Hezekiah, his officers, and all the people in Jerusalem agreed to celebrate the Passover in the second month.

At the king's command, the messengers took letters from him and his officers all through Israel and Judah. This is what the letters said: People of Israel, return to the Lord , the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Then God will return to you who are still alive, who have escaped from the kings of Assyria.

And God united all the people of Judah in obeying King Hezekiah and his officers, because their command had come from the Lord .

The priests and Levites stood up and blessed the people, and God heard them because their prayer reached heaven, his holy home.

Hezekiah gave some of his own animals for the burnt offerings, which were given every morning and evening, on Sabbath days, during New Moons, and at other feasts commanded in the Lord 's Teachings.

When Hezekiah and his officers came and saw the piles, they praised the Lord and his people, the people of Israel.

Azariah, the leading priest from Zadok's family, answered Hezekiah, "Since the people began to bring their offerings to the Temple of the Lord , we have had plenty to eat and plenty left over, because the Lord has blessed his people. So we have all this left over."

Then the priests brought in the offerings and the things given to the Lord and one-tenth of everything the people had given. Conaniah the Levite was in charge of these things, and his brother Shimei was second to him.

Conaniah and his brother Shimei were over these supervisors: Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismakiah, Mahath, and Benaiah. King Hezekiah and Azariah the officer in charge of the Temple of God had chosen them.

This is what King Hezekiah did in Judah. He did what was good and right and obedient before the Lord his God.

Hezekiah tried to obey God in his service of the Temple of God, and he tried to obey God's teachings and commands. He gave himself fully to his work for God. So he had success.

After Hezekiah did all these things to serve the Lord , Sennacherib king of Assyria came and attacked Judah. He and his army surrounded and attacked the strong, walled cities, hoping to take them for himself.

So Hezekiah and his officers and army commanders decided to cut off the water from the springs outside the city. So the officers and commanders helped Hezekiah.

"Be strong and brave. Don't be afraid or worried because of the king of Assyria or his large army. There is a greater power with us than with him.

After this King Sennacherib of Assyria and all his army surrounded and attacked Lachish. Then he sent his officers to Jerusalem with this message for King Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of Judah in Jerusalem:

Do not let Hezekiah fool you or trick you, and do not believe him. No god of any nation or kingdom has been able to save his people from me or my ancestors. Your god is even less able to save you from me."

Sennacherib's officers said worse things against the Lord God and his servant Hezekiah.

King Sennacherib also wrote letters insulting the Lord , the God of Israel. They spoke against him, saying, "The gods of the other nations could not save their people from me. In the same way Hezekiah's god won't be able to save his people from me."