2 Kings 19 34

2 Kings 19:34 kjv

For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

2 Kings 19:34 nkjv

'For I will defend this city, to save it For My own sake and for My servant David's sake.' "

2 Kings 19:34 niv

I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant.'?"

2 Kings 19:34 esv

For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David."

2 Kings 19:34 nlt

For my own honor and for the sake of my servant David,
I will defend this city and protect it."

2 Kings 19 verses

2 Kings 19 34 Meaning

2 Kings 19:34 expresses the Lord God's explicit declaration of His intention to defend Jerusalem, stating His twin motivations: for His own honor and faithfulness to His word, and for the sake of His covenant with His servant David. This verse reveals God's unyielding commitment to preserve His chosen city and His people from the powerful Assyrian threat, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over nations and His steadfast covenant loyalty.

2 Kings 19 34 Context

The prophecy in 2 Kings 19:34 is a direct response to King Hezekiah's desperate prayer (2 Kings 19:14-19) concerning the immense Assyrian threat. Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, had conquered many cities of Judah and sent a blasphemous letter to Hezekiah, mocking the Lord and challenging His ability to deliver Jerusalem. This specific verse forms part of Isaiah's message to Hezekiah, assuring him that Jerusalem would be divinely protected. The immediate historical context is the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem around 701 BC, a time of immense political and theological crisis for Judah. It serves as a stark contrast between the boasting power of a worldly empire and the quiet, ultimate sovereignty of the one true God, directly refuting the Assyrian notion that their gods and military might were superior to Israel's God.

2 Kings 19 34 Word analysis

• For I will defend: The Hebrew word is גָּנַן (ganan), meaning "to surround, to protect, to defend, to cover." This is an active and deliberate posture of safeguarding. It signifies God acting as a shield, ensuring the city's safety.
• this city: Refers to Jerusalem, God's chosen city, where His Temple resided. It represents the heart of His covenant presence on earth at that time.
• to save it: The Hebrew verb is לְהוֹשִׁיעָהּ (lehoshia`), meaning "to deliver, to rescue, to bring salvation." This goes beyond mere defense; it implies a full, decisive deliverance from destruction.
• for My own sake: The Hebrew phrase is לְמַעֲנִי (lema`ani). This declares God's primary motivation to be His own divine reputation, honor, and faithfulness. He acts because He is God, and His character and promises cannot be profaned or shown to be impotent. His glory is paramount.
• and for My servant David's sake: The Hebrew is וּלְמַעַן דָּוִד עַבְדִּי (ulemaan Dawiavdi). This refers to God's unbreakable covenant with David (2 Samuel 7), promising an everlasting dynasty and throne. Defending Jerusalem ensured the continuation of David's lineage, through which the Messiah would eventually come.
• "For I will defend this city, to save it": This phrase highlights God's active intervention and purposeful outcome. It's not a passive allowance, but an intentional act of preservation leading to full deliverance. It underscores His might and faithfulness in protecting His covenant people and His holy habitation.
• "for My own sake and for My servant David's sake": These two motivations are presented as intertwined, yet God's own sake is foundational. God acts out of who He is (His character and glory) and also out of His specific, unconditional promises (covenant with David). This dual motivation showcases both His ultimate self-glorification and His covenant fidelity. The order of phrases signifies that while the Davidic covenant is significant, it ultimately serves God's own ultimate purpose and glory.

2 Kings 19 34 Bonus section

The dramatic fulfillment of this verse in 2 Kings 19:35, where 185,000 Assyrian soldiers are struck down by the Angel of the Lord overnight, serves as a powerful testament to the spoken word of God. This miraculous deliverance solidified God's authority over all earthly powers and affirmed His unique identity as the living God compared to the lifeless idols of Assyria. The verse underscores that prayer, particularly when it prioritizes God's glory and appeals to His covenant faithfulness, activates His divine power. The survival of Jerusalem under Hezekiah ensured the continuity of the royal line necessary for the promised Christ to come, emphasizing the historical and eschatological significance of this specific act of God.

2 Kings 19 34 Commentary

2 Kings 19:34 encapsulates the bedrock of God's character: His sovereignty, His faithfulness, and His commitment to His promises. Faced with a seemingly insurmountable enemy and blasphemous defiance, God declares His direct intervention. His motivation is first and foremost "for My own sake," meaning His intrinsic glory, His holy name, and the integrity of His divine word. He cannot be mocked, and His power must be vindicated before the nations. Secondly, His actions are also "for My servant David's sake," revealing His unbreakable covenant loyalty. The preservation of Jerusalem was vital for the Davidic dynasty to continue, leading eventually to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. This verse stands as a profound assurance that God keeps His word, responds to the prayers of the humble, and sovereignly overrules the might of human empires for His divine purposes and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. It demonstrates that God's action is rooted in His character and covenant, not in the worthiness of His people.