2 Kings 19 1

2 Kings 19:1 kjv

And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 19:1 nkjv

And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 19:1 niv

When King Hezekiah heard this, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the LORD.

2 Kings 19:1 esv

As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 19:1 nlt

When King Hezekiah heard their report, he tore his clothes and put on burlap and went into the Temple of the LORD.

2 Kings 19 verses

2 Kings 19 1 Meaning

This verse describes King Hezekiah's immediate and profound reaction upon hearing the blasphemous and threatening message from the Assyrian king Sennacherib through his envoy, Rabshakeh. His actions—tearing his clothes, covering himself with sackcloth, and entering the temple of the Lord—are traditional Israelite expressions of deep grief, profound distress, national humiliation, and urgent turning to God for divine intervention in a time of severe crisis. It signifies a profound spiritual response to a grave challenge, recognizing the true nature of the threat as not just political or military, but against the Lord Himself.

2 Kings 19 1 Context

Chapter 19 begins immediately after Sennacherib's Assyrian army, having already ravaged other cities of Judah, sends Rabshakeh with a message of intimidation and blasphemy against Jerusalem and its God (recorded in 2 Kings 18). Rabshakeh openly mocks Hezekiah's trust in the Lord, asserting that the Lord would be no more effective in delivering Jerusalem than the gods of other conquered nations were in saving their cities. Hezekiah's response in this verse sets the stage for the pivotal spiritual battle that follows. It underscores the king's piety and leadership, demonstrating that his primary reliance in the face of insurmountable military threat is upon the Lord, seeking divine counsel and intervention through prayer in the temple, rather than immediate political or military counter-strategy. Historically, Judah was a small kingdom sandwiched between mighty empires, and this moment highlights the existential threat posed by Assyria's overwhelming power to both its survival and its monotheistic faith.

2 Kings 19 1 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: A common biblical introductory phrase, often signalling the beginning of a significant event. It directs the reader's attention to an imminent development, creating a sense of unfolding drama and divine orchestration.
• when King Hezekiah heard it,: The Hebrew word for "heard" (שׁמע - shama) implies more than just auditory perception; it carries the weight of understanding, processing, and responding to the message. Hezekiah did not merely hear the words; he comprehended the full depth of their challenge and blasphemy against his God. The "it" refers specifically to Rabshakeh's taunts and direct blasphemy against the Lord.
• that he tore his clothes: (קָרַע - qara') This act was a universally understood, drastic public display of extreme distress, profound grief, or outrage in the ancient Near East. It wasn't merely a symbolic gesture but an outpouring of inner turmoil. In this context, it reflects shock, deep anguish over the blasphemy, and the imminent national catastrophe. It represents a rending of self-composure, exposing vulnerability.
• and covered himself with sackcloth: (בַּשָּׂק - bassaq) Sackcloth, made of coarse animal hair, was worn next to the skin, symbolizing humility, penance, mourning, and distress. It was an outward sign of an inward state of brokenness before God, signifying a complete absence of pride or worldly comforts. This act reinforced the severity of the situation and Hezekiah's posture of submission and supplication.
• and went into the house of the Lord. (בֵּית יְהוָה - beit YHWH) This is the Jerusalem Temple, the physical place where God's presence dwelled among His people, the center of worship and national identity. Hezekiah's immediate action of going to the Temple demonstrates his fundamental conviction that the crisis was ultimately a theological one, requiring a divine response. It indicates seeking sanctuary, wisdom, and deliverance directly from God, rather than relying on military strength or political maneuvering. This was an act of worship and desperate appeal.

Words-group analysis

• Heard it... tore his clothes... covered himself with sackcloth: This sequence illustrates Hezekiah's immediate and profound internal and external response to the overwhelming news. The hearing led to an instantaneous, visible act of distress (tearing clothes), followed by a sustained posture of humility and mourning (sackcloth). This reaction indicates deep reverence for God, recognizing the insult against Him as the gravest part of the Assyrian message, rather than merely a threat to his kingdom.
• tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth: These two actions together are canonical signs of deep anguish and a state of complete humility before God. They signify both the extremity of the current national predicament and Hezekiah's personal commitment to approaching God in absolute submission. This was not a perfunctory act but a genuine expression of his despair and spiritual sensitivity.
• went into the house of the Lord: This decisive act emphasizes that Hezekiah's primary recourse in a crisis of this magnitude was not military council or political diplomacy, but prayer and seeking God's will and intervention in His holy presence. It signifies faith that true help comes from the Almighty, demonstrating that Jerusalem's ultimate defense rested on God's power and not on its own might. This set a powerful example of spiritual leadership.

2 Kings 19 1 Bonus section

• Hezekiah's Righteous Reign: This immediate and profound spiritual response aligns with Hezekiah's character as a righteous king who initiated significant religious reforms in Judah (2 Kings 18:3-7). Unlike some of his predecessors, he consistently trusted in the Lord, making his reaction in this crisis a testament to his established spiritual walk.
• A Theocentric Response: Hezekiah's focus was on the insult to God's name, not just the military threat to his kingdom. This is a theocentric worldview, where God's honor takes precedence, making the situation fundamentally about Yahweh's reputation among the nations, particularly against the backdrop of Assyrian polytheism.
• Contrast to Other Leaders: His response stands in stark contrast to other biblical leaders who might have sought immediate military alliances (like King Ahaz, 2 Kings 16) or given in to despair. Hezekiah's immediate turning to the Temple demonstrates true leadership that prioritizes God's presence and power.

2 Kings 19 1 Commentary

2 Kings 19:1 reveals King Hezekiah's profound faith and spiritual leadership in the face of an existential threat. When confronted with Sennacherib's audacious message and blasphemous taunts against the Lord, Hezekiah did not despair or resort to human wisdom or military tactics first. Instead, his immediate and instinctive response was one of deep reverence and complete reliance upon God. Tearing his clothes and covering himself with sackcloth were powerful, visible expressions of his overwhelming grief, distress, and utter humility before the magnitude of the challenge. His decisive act of going "into the house of the Lord" underscores his conviction that this was a divine matter requiring divine intervention. The Temple, as God's dwelling place, was the ultimate sanctuary and source of hope. Hezekiah's action established a crucial spiritual precedent, teaching that when human solutions fail or when God's name is openly defied, the proper response for believers is to turn directly to Him in humble supplication and unreserved trust. This sets the stage for the dramatic display of God's power to defend His name and His people.