ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 2 Chronicles 32

2 Chron. 32:1–23 This account of Sennacherib’s invasion (701 b.c.) condenses and simplifies the account in 2 Kings 18–19 (see note on 2 Kings 18:13). It highlights the uniqueness and supremacy of Israel’s God, and his ability to deliver his people from their enemies.

2 Chron. 32:1–8 After these things. Hezekiah’s faithful acts are followed by a military invasion, which tests his faith and resourcefulness. He encourages the people not to fear the strength of men (arm of flesh; see Jer. 17:5) but to have confidence in God’s help (see 2 Chron. 14:11). Earlier, King Jehoshaphat endured a similar test after having led the nation in revival (see note on 20:1–2).

2 Chron. 32:1–4, 30 Hezekiah built a new water system for Jerusalem. A tunnel brought water directly from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam.

2 Chron. 32:5 Hezekiah built another wall, probably to protect the city against the invading Assyrians. The city wall was also extended to make room for the refugees arriving from the north. the Millo. See note on 2 Sam. 5:9.

2 Chron. 32:9–16 Sennacherib . . . was besieging Lachish. See note on 2 Kings 18:17. See 2 Kings 18:19–35; 19:9–13 and notes on 2 Kings 18:19–35. The speech of Sennacherib’s servants follows the familiar pattern of propaganda. They are trying to separate the people from their leader and to intimidate them into submission.

2 Chron. 32:18 The language of Judah was Hebrew. Aramaic was the international language of Judah and the nations surrounding it (see 2 Kings 18:26–35).

2 Chron. 32:20 Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet. The Chronicler omits details of Hezekiah’s prayer and Isaiah’s prophecy (see 2 Kings 19:15–34). He stresses that God has promised to hear his people’s prayer in times of distress (see 2 Chron. 6:24–25). cried to heaven. See 2 Kings 19:1–2 and note.

2 Chron. 32:21 Shame of face was the result when the arrogant Assyrian king tried to destroy God’s people (compare Ps. 34:4–7; 35:4–5). some of his own sons struck him down. This did not happen until 20 years later, in 681 b.c. (see notes on 2 Kings 19:35–36; 19:37).

2 Chron. 32:24–26, 31 Compare 2 Kings 20:1–19. These events preceded Sennacherib’s invasion by a few years. The sign was the miraculous backward movement of the shadow. Related to this incident was the king’s proud display of his wealth before the Babylonian envoys, which brought God’s wrath.

2 Chron. 32:27–30a Riches and honor are regular signs of divine blessing on faithful rulers (see 1 Chron. 29:28; 2 Chron. 1:11; 17:5). Hezekiah’s tunnel was part of the engineering work referred to in 32:30a (see vv. 3–4).

2 Chron. 32:32–33 the vision of Isaiah the prophet . . . in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. Not the canonical book of Isaiah but a historical work now lost (see notes on 1 Kings 14:19; 2 Chron. 26:22).