2 Kings 19 2

2 Kings 19:2 kjv

And he sent Eliakim, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

2 Kings 19:2 nkjv

Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz.

2 Kings 19:2 niv

He sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the secretary and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.

2 Kings 19:2 esv

And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz.

2 Kings 19:2 nlt

And he sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the court secretary, and the leading priests, all dressed in burlap, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.

2 Kings 19 verses

2 Kings 19 2 Meaning

This verse details King Hezekiah's immediate response to the blasphemous threats of Sennacherib's Assyrian envoy, Rabshakeh, described in the previous chapter. Overwhelmed with profound distress, as evidenced by his sackcloth and mourning, Hezekiah swiftly dispatches a delegation composed of his highest officials—Eliakim the palace steward, Shebna the royal scribe, and the most respected elders of the priests—all similarly clothed in symbols of national humiliation and fervent plea. Their urgent mission is to seek divine counsel and intervention through the prophet Isaiah, signifying Hezekiah's unreserved reliance on the LORD in a time of severe national crisis.

2 Kings 19 2 Context

This verse is set during the severe national crisis when the Assyrian Empire, under King Sennacherib, besieged Judah. Following Assyria's devastating conquests of the northern kingdom of Israel and much of Judah, Jerusalem remained the last stronghold. The preceding verses (2 Kgs 18:17-37) vividly portray Rabshakeh, Sennacherib's envoy, publicly mocking Jerusalem, Hezekiah, and most importantly, the LORD God of Israel, challenging His ability to deliver His people. Rabshakeh’s words were designed to instill terror and undermine faith. Hezekiah's immediate response to this grave blasphemy and existential threat, as described in 2 Kings 19:1-2, is a pivotal turning point, demonstrating a shift from strategic calculations or outward displays of might to profound spiritual dependence and immediate supplication to God through His prophet.

2 Kings 19 2 Word analysis

• Then (`וַיְשַׁלַח` - `vayishlach` - "And he sent"): Indicates an immediate and decisive action directly following the news of the Rabshakeh's blasphemies and Hezekiah's reaction in verse 1. It signifies that Hezekiah's response was not one of panic leading to foolish action, but one of resolute, faith-driven initiative.
• Hezekiah sent (`וַיְשַׁלַח חִזְקִיָּהוּ` - `vayishlach Chizkiyahu` - "And Hezekiah sent"): The king's personal initiative and leadership in this desperate hour are highlighted. It demonstrates his character and immediate direction toward divine counsel rather than solely military or political maneuvering.
• Eliakim (`אֶלְיָקִים` - `Elyakim`): Meaning "God raises up" or "My God establishes." He was the steward (or prime minister) of the house (2 Kgs 18:18), the highest official in the royal administration. His inclusion signifies the king's utmost seriousness and the formal, official nature of the appeal.
• who was over the household (`אֲשֶׁר עַל־הַבַּיִת` - `asher al-habayit` - "who was over the house/palace"): Identifies Eliakim's crucial role as the royal administrator, chief of the palace, directly accountable to the king, emphasizing his status as the highest authority delegated by the king.
• and Shebna the scribe (`וְשֶׁבְנָא הַסֹּפֵר` - `veShebna hasofer` - "and Shebna the scribe"): Shebna (possibly meaning "my dwelling" or "young man") held the significant office of royal scribe or secretary (2 Kgs 18:18), indicating his authority in communication, records, and possibly foreign affairs. The book of Isaiah (Isa 22:15-19) indicates a Shebna who was initially condemned for pride and abusing his position, before being replaced by Eliakim as steward but remaining as scribe. If it is the same Shebna, his participation here in sackcloth suggests a humbling transformation or simply obedience to the king in a national emergency, illustrating how God can still use flawed vessels.
• and the elders of the priests (`וְזִקְנֵי הַכֹּהֲנִים` - `veziknei hakohanim` - "and elders of the priests"): The phrase 'elders' (`זִקְנֵי` - `ziqnei`) refers to senior, experienced, and respected leaders. Their presence alongside political officials symbolizes that this was a national appeal with spiritual leaders leading the intercession. Their role was vital for mediation between God and the people through religious rituals and prayers.
• clothed with sackcloth (`וּמְכֻסִּים שַׂקִּים` - `um'khussim saqqim` - "and covered with sackcloths"): Sackcloth (`שַׂק` - `saq`) was a coarse fabric, often made of goat hair, worn directly on the skin. Its presence signified deep mourning, acute distress, national repentance, humility before God, and a stripping away of all worldly comfort and pride. It represented a state of supplication and vulnerability, implicitly acknowledging Judah's unworthiness and dependence on divine mercy rather than human strength or merit.
• to Isaiah the prophet (`אֶל־יְשַׁעְיָהוּ הַנָּבִיא` - `el-Yeshayahu haNavi` - "to Isaiah the prophet"): Isaiah (`יְשַׁעְיָהוּ` - `Yeshayahu`), whose name means "Yahweh is salvation," was God's chosen messenger for Judah in this era. By seeking him, Hezekiah directly acknowledged God's authority and relied on His word delivered through the prophet, a critical demonstration of faith in the face of a crisis of unparalleled magnitude. This also highlights the vital role of true prophets as divine spokesmen.

• Hezekiah sent Eliakim… and Shebna… and the elders of the priests: This gathering of the highest officials and spiritual leaders underscores the gravity of the situation and the king's complete commitment to seeking a divine solution. It's a combined political, administrative, and spiritual leadership united in humility and appeal to God.
• all clothed with sackcloth: This collective action signifies national humiliation, repentance, and solidarity in a spiritual posture before God. It communicates that the crisis demanded a spiritual response from the top leadership down, demonstrating a dependence on divine mercy, a core aspect of true Israelite faith.
• to Isaiah the prophet: This directive points to the core belief that divine revelation and deliverance would come through God's appointed prophet, emphasizing that God's plan unfolds through His chosen vessels and that listening to His word is paramount for salvation. It’s an act of seeking a direct word from God.

2 Kings 19 2 Bonus section

The structure of Hezekiah’s delegation—Eliakim (political leader/prime minister), Shebna (administrator/scribe), and the elders of the priests (religious leaders)—demonstrates that the crisis was understood to be all-encompassing, requiring a unified response from every sphere of authority. The king ensures that all facets of national life, from civil administration to religious authority, are represented in this act of supplication. The emphasis on approaching Isaiah highlights the authority of prophetic word as the direct means of communication from God to His people in this dispensation. This historical account serves as a strong counter-polemic against the Assyrian gods and the notion that a nation's fate is solely determined by military might or political cunning. Instead, it asserts the sovereign power of the LORD, who works through prayer and His divine word, ultimately leading to His people's salvation.

2 Kings 19 2 Commentary

2 Kings 19:2 illustrates a profound act of spiritual leadership and national reliance on God in the face of an overwhelming existential threat. Faced with Rabshakeh's blatant mockery of the living God and the imminent destruction of Jerusalem by the Assyrian Empire, King Hezekiah's immediate reaction is not to muster armies or diplomatic efforts alone, but to humble himself and dispatch his highest officials—political and religious—to the prophet Isaiah. The symbolic act of wearing sackcloth by this elite delegation speaks volumes: it signifies deep distress, personal and national mourning, genuine humility, and an acknowledgment of their desperate need for divine intervention. It is a posture of absolute submission to God's will, effectively confessing Judah's utter inability to save itself by human strength. This action sets a crucial precedent for dealing with crises: first and foremost, seek God's counsel through His appointed means, aligning with Him in humility and prayer. It stands as a stark contrast to kings who turned to idols or foreign alliances, highlighting Hezekiah's faithful leadership in crisis.

• Example 1: When a family faces an overwhelming crisis (e.g., severe illness, financial ruin), the family's head immediately gathers them for fervent prayer, humbling themselves before God rather than relying solely on medical or financial institutions.
• Example 2: A church confronted with societal pressures or spiritual decline engages in corporate prayer and repentance, seeking the guidance of scripture and their spiritual leaders.
• Example 3: A Christian facing personal sin or a difficult decision immediately turns to prayer, confession, and seeks wise counsel from a spiritually mature believer, embodying humility.