Chapter Summary

Hezekiah's message to Isaiah and the answer. Sennacherib defies God. Hezekiah's prayer and the answer through Isaiah.

Discussion Questions for 2 Kings, Chapter 19

1. Where did Hezekiah go after hearing the words of Rabshakeh? Why is that important? How should we respond to hearing news that causes us to be distraught?
2. Who is the first person that you turn to when things get hard? Is Isaiah's declaration comforting? Why or why not?
3. Do you think that Sennacherib's counsel was right or wrong? explain your reasoning
4. Why can we trust God in keeping his promises? What are some ways we can remember that God does keep his promises when we are faced with difficult times?
5. What is seen of the Hezekiah's humility in his approach and prayer to the Lord? Is his prayer bold? Why or why Not? How should this change our approach and prayers to the Lord?
6. What was the Lord's response to Hezekiah's prayer? How does the Lord's response to Hezekiah's prayer reflect His character and relationship with His people, and what lessons can we draw from this about the nature of prayer and God's faithfulness in responding to the cries of His servants?
7. In 19:25 the Lord describes Sennacherib's downfall as "determined long ago" and "planned from days of old". (ESV) What does this tell us about how the Lord works in the world? If the Lord is in control of kings and rulers, both their bringing up and down fall of rulers, how does this change the way we think about our current rulers?
8. Why was the Assyrians view of God different from Isaiah's view of God?
9. What was the sign that God gave Hezekiah that Sennacherib and the Assyrians would no longer be attacking? How do verses 35-37 show the power of the Lord in response to the power of the false gods that of Assyria? How do the events described in verses 35-37 illustrate the contrast between the power of the Lord and the powerlessness of the false gods of Assyria, and what lessons can we learn from this about the sovereignty and supremacy of God over all earthly powers and idols?
10. Hezekiah looked to God for hope in the midst of affliction. How does the gospel give us hope? How does Hezekiah's reliance on God for hope in the midst of affliction parallel the hope that the gospel offers to believers today, and what aspects of the gospel message provide assurance and comfort in times of trouble and uncertainty?

Key Words/Phrase

Prayer answered, vv. 19, 34.

Characters

God, angel (Jesus), Hezekiah, Isaiah, Sennacherib, Eliakim, Shebna, Rab-shakeh.

Strong Verse(s)

15, 34.