2 Kings 19:14-19

2 Kings 19:14-19

[14] And Hezekiah  received  the letter  of the hand  of the messengers,  and read  it: and Hezekiah  went up  into the house  and spread  it before  [15] And Hezekiah  prayed  before  the LORD,  and said,  O LORD  God  of Israel,  which dwellest  between the cherubims,  thou art the God,  even thou alone, of all the kingdoms  of the earth;  thou hast made  heaven  and earth.  [16] LORD,  bow down  thine ear,  and hear:  open,  LORD,  thine eyes,  and see:  and hear  the words  of Sennacherib,  which hath sent  him to reproach  the living  God.  [17] Of a truth,  LORD,  the kings  of Assyria  have destroyed  the nations  and their lands,  [18] And have cast  their gods  into the fire:  for they were no gods,  but the work  of men's  hands,  wood  and stone:  therefore they have destroyed  [19] Now therefore, O LORD  our God,  I beseech thee, save  thou us out of his hand,  that all the kingdoms  of the earth  may know  that thou art the LORD  God,  even thou only.

What does 2 Kings 19:14-19 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Sennacherib sent another warning to Hezekiah ( 2 Kings 19:10-13) that led him to pray again. Some scholars believe that Sennacherib conducted two campaigns against Jerusalem. [1] Hezekiah"s model prayer shows the king"s proper view of Yahweh, himself, and their relationship, all of which were in harmony with God"s revelation. Hezekiah"s concern was more for God"s glory than for Judah"s safety. Furthermore, he viewed deliverance as an occasion for Israel to fulfill the purpose for which God had raised her up ( 2 Kings 19:19; cf. Exodus 19:5-6).
"God is the one Being in all the universe for whom seeking his own praise is the ultimately loving act. For him, self-exaltation is the highest virtue. When he does all things "for the praise of his glory," he preserves for us and offers to us the only thing in all the world which can satisfy our longings. God is for us! And the foundation of this love is that God has been, is now, and always will be, for himself." [1]3