Study Desk

The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath and Sephar-vaim. He had them live in the cities of Samaria in place of the people of Israel. So they took Samaria for their own, and lived in its cities.

They feared the Lord also, and yet they chose from among themselves religious leaders of the high places. These leaders gave the gifts for them in the houses of the high places.

Obey forever the Laws and the Word which He wrote for you. Do not fear other gods.

He was twenty-five years old when he became king. And he ruled for twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah.

He took away the high places. He broke down the holy pillars used in worship and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the brass snake that Moses had made. For until those days the people of Israel burned special perfume to it. It was called Nehushtan.

For he held to the Lord and did not stop following Him. He kept His Laws which the Lord had given Moses.

And the Lord was with him. Hezekiah did well in every place he went. He turned against the king of Assyria and did not work for him.

You say with empty words, ‘I have wisdom and strength for war.' On whom do you trust, that you have turned against me?

How can you fight back one captain among the least of my ruler's servants, when you trust Egypt for war-wagons and horsemen?

Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, said to Rabshakeh, "Speak to your servants in the Aramaic language, for we understand it. Do not speak with us in the language of Judah. The people on the wall might hear it."

The king says, ‘Do not let Hezekiah lie to you. For he will not be able to save you from my power.

Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord, saying, "The Lord will save us for sure. And this city will not be given to the king of Assyria."

Do not listen to Hezekiah. For the king of Assyria says, "Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat of his own vine and fig tree. And every one of you will drink the water of his own well.

But the people were quiet. They did not answer him a word. For Hezekiah had told them, "Do not answer him."

And they said to him, "Hezekiah says, ‘This day is a day of trouble, sharp words, and shame. For children have come to be born, but there is no strength to give birth to them.

It might be that the Lord your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom his ruler the king of Assyria has sent to make fun of the living God. And the Lord your God might speak sharp words against what He has heard. So pray for those who are left of the Lord's people.'"

Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah. For he had heard that the king had left Lachish.

They have thrown their gods into the fire. For they were not gods, but the work of men's hands, made from wood and stone. So they have destroyed them.

'This will be the special thing for you to see: This year you will eat what grows of itself. In the second year you will eat what grows of the same. Then in the third year, you will plant seeds and gather food. You will plant vines and eat their fruit.

For those who are left will go out of Jerusalem. Those who are still alive will go out of Mount Zion. This will be done by the power of the Lord.