Hezekiah’s response to the threat of Sennacherib was to go to God’s temple to pray and to seek the guidance of God’s prophet (v1-2). Here we have very good advice as to what we need to do in the face of the attacks of the enemy. There is no substitute for the place of prayer and listening to God’s word.

King Hezekiah’s words are not filled with great hope or certainty (v3-4). By contrast, Isiah’s words carry great certainty because they come from the God who is in total control of this whole situation (v5-7). In days of great trial, we need to seek the certainty Isaiah had which came from a life in close communion with the Lord who rules overall.

As Isaiah had prophesied, due to a rumour Rabshakeh withdraws to assist the King of Assyria (v8), but the King of Assyria continues to seek to threaten and discourage King Hezekiah now by sending a letter (v9-13).

Hezekiah’s response is much more assured that before, he lays the letter before the Lord in the temple and utters a great prayer of faith in the one true God (v14-20). This is a wonderful example of how to respond to worries. Isaiah also speaks to reassure Hezekiah and the people (v21-35). Sennacherib’s army is destroyed by the Lord (v36), Sennacherib returns home where he is killed by his two sons. Who was truly in control?