2 Kings 19 14

2 Kings 19:14 kjv

And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

2 Kings 19:14 nkjv

And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.

2 Kings 19:14 niv

Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD.

2 Kings 19:14 esv

Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD and spread it before the LORD.

2 Kings 19:14 nlt

After Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it, he went up to the LORD's Temple and spread it out before the LORD.

2 Kings 19 verses

2 Kings 19 14 Meaning

Upon receiving a terrifying and blasphemous letter from King Sennacherib of Assyria, Hezekiah did not resort to political or military strategizing, nor did he despair. Instead, he immediately took the very physical letter to the most sacred place, the Temple, the house of the LORD, and solemnly laid it out before God. This act was a profound expression of his absolute trust and reliance on divine intervention, publicly presenting the enemy's challenge directly to the sovereign God of Israel.

2 Kings 19 14 Context

This verse is set during the severe crisis when King Sennacherib of Assyria, having already captured many fortified cities of Judah, was threatening Jerusalem, the capital. Earlier, Sennacherib's field commander, the Rabshakeh, had delivered blasphemous and mocking messages designed to instill fear and erode Hezekiah's trust in the LORD. Hezekiah's immediate response was to humble himself, tear his clothes, and send messengers to Isaiah the prophet, seeking God's word. The letter mentioned in this verse is Sennacherib's personal and final written ultimatum, explicitly challenging Hezekiah and his God. It was a calculated act of psychological warfare, aiming to overwhelm Judah before the decisive siege. Hezekiah's act of taking the letter to the Temple underscores the Temple's centrality as the place of God's presence, the seat of the covenant, and the ultimate refuge in times of national crisis. It highlights the deeply spiritual nature of the conflict.

2 Kings 19 14 Word analysis

• And Hezekiah: Identifies the King of Judah, a ruler notably praised for his trust in the LORD (2 Kgs 18:5-7), setting the stage for an action rooted in faith.
• received (וַיִּקַּח, vayiqqaḥ): Means "took, received." It implies the unavoidable acquisition of a severe communication, a burden delivered into his hand.
• the letter (הַסְּפָרִים, hassarim): Plural in Hebrew ("the letters" or "the scrolls/documents"), possibly indicating multiple sheets or copies of the formal document. The sepher (סֵפֶר) was a formal document, carrying the king's authority, filled with boasts and threats. Its written nature made the challenge undeniable and permanent.
• from the hand of the messengers: Emphasizes the official and direct delivery of the threat, carrying Sennacherib's explicit authority and blasphemous message, not mere hearsay.
• and read it (וַיִּקְרָאֵהוּ, vayyiqrā'ēhū): Signifies that Hezekiah fully comprehended the contents – the dire threats, the boasts of Sennacherib, and the direct insult to the LORD, revealing the enemy's contempt and the scale of the challenge.
• and Hezekiah went up (וַיַּעַל חִזְקִיָּהוּ, vayya‘al ḥizqiyyahū): The action of "going up" implies movement towards a higher, sacred place, denoting reverence and seriousness in approaching God. The path to the Temple in Jerusalem was literally an ascent.
• to the house of the LORD (בֵּית יְהוָה, bêth YHWH): Refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, God's dwelling place. This destination shows Hezekiah's immediate recourse was to divine, not human, aid or counsel. It underscores the Temple's role as a sanctuary and focal point for prayer and seeking God's face.
• and spread it out (וַיִּפְרְשֵׂהוּ, vayyip̄rəśēhū): A deeply symbolic act. The verb paras (פָרַשׂ) means "to spread out," "stretch out." Hezekiah was not simply reading a prayer; he was physically displaying the tangible threat, laying bare the full extent of the problem and the enemy's audacious words before the omnipresent and omniscient God. It signifies total transparency and surrender, offering God the unadulterated facts as if God needed to be shown, but as an act of faith.
• before the LORD (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, lip̄nê YHWH): Direct communication with God Himself. This phrase emphasizes the direct presence of God. Hezekiah laid the matter at the very feet of divine authority, indicating his recognition that only the LORD could adequately respond to such a challenge and deliver His people.

Words-group by Words-group Analysis

• "And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it;": This phrase highlights the human reception and comprehension of a formidable, tangible threat. It emphasizes the direct confrontation Hezekiah had with the enemy's detailed challenge and blasphemy.
• "and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD.": This second part marks a significant spiritual shift. From human comprehension, Hezekiah immediately transitions to divine action. His movement to the Temple and the deliberate act of "spreading it out" underscore his complete surrender, humility, and unwavering faith that only God could address the gravity of the situation presented by the letter. It signifies a profound casting of his burden directly upon the Almighty.

2 Kings 19 14 Bonus section

Hezekiah's actions in this verse provide a powerful counterpoint to the faithlessness often seen in previous kings of Israel and Judah. While others might have panicked, sought alliances, or even succumbed to idolatry, Hezekiah consistently demonstrated his reliance on God alone. This act is paralleled in Isaiah 37, reinforcing its significance. The letter itself, intended to intimidate, became an instrument for provoking Hezekiah's faith and leading to a mighty display of God's power. It illustrates a biblical principle: often, the very things intended for evil or destruction by adversaries are turned by God into opportunities for His glory and the vindication of His people. The act of "spreading out" the letter suggests a pouring out of Hezekiah's heart and the full weight of the situation, knowing God's omniscient presence.

2 Kings 19 14 Commentary

Hezekiah's response to Sennacherib's terrifying letter exemplifies the faithful's appropriate response to overwhelming crisis: immediate and total reliance on God. Instead of engaging in political negotiations, military strategy, or giving way to despair, he performed a symbolic act of taking the literal burden and laying it before God in the Temple. This demonstrated profound humility and trust, presenting the enemy's challenge not as a problem for Judah alone, but as a direct affront to God Himself. This action became the basis for his powerful prayer, highlighting that when facing insurmountable odds or direct opposition against God, the primary and most effective strategy is direct, trusting appeal to the Sovereign Lord. It teaches that nothing is too insignificant or too overwhelming to be laid before God in sincere prayer.