2 Kings 19 9

2 Kings 19:9 kjv

And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying,

2 Kings 19:9 nkjv

And the king heard concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, "Look, he has come out to make war with you." So he again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,

2 Kings 19:9 niv

Now Sennacherib received a report that Tirhakah, the king of Cush, was marching out to fight against him. So he again sent messengers to Hezekiah with this word:

2 Kings 19:9 esv

Now the king heard concerning Tirhakah king of Cush, "Behold, he has set out to fight against you." So he sent messengers again to Hezekiah, saying,

2 Kings 19:9 nlt

Soon afterward King Sennacherib received word that King Tirhakah of Ethiopia was leading an army to fight against him. Before leaving to meet the attack, he sent messengers back to Hezekiah in Jerusalem with this message:

2 Kings 19 verses

2 Kings 19 9 Meaning

Second Kings 19:9 describes a crucial turn in the siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrian king Sennacherib. It states that Sennacherib heard a report about Tirhakah, the king of Ethiopia (Cush), who was advancing to make war against him. Upon receiving this news, Sennacherib dispatched messengers again to King Hezekiah of Judah, reiterating his demands and challenges, demonstrating a momentary distraction or urgency due to the impending new threat from the south.

2 Kings 19 9 Context

Chapter 19 of 2 Kings is a pivotal narrative recounting Sennacherib's arrogant challenge against God's sovereignty and Jerusalem, and God's miraculous deliverance of the city in response to Hezekiah's prayer. Having already conquered numerous fortified cities of Judah (2 Ki 18:13), Sennacherib's general, Rabshakeh, previously taunted Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem, attempting to undermine their faith in the Lord by boasting of Assyria's conquests over other nations' gods. Hezekiah, in despair, brought Rabshakeh's blasphemous letter to the temple and spread it before the Lord, seeking divine intervention through the prophet Isaiah. In the immediate preceding verse (2 Ki 19:8), Sennacherib is warring against Libnah, having withdrawn from Lachish. Verse 9 then introduces the critical external development: a rumor of Tirhakah's advance, which diverts Sennacherib's immediate focus on Jerusalem, prompting him to send one final, threatening message to Hezekiah. This external threat aligns with Isaiah's earlier prophecy (2 Ki 19:7) that a "rumour" would cause Sennacherib to return to his own land.

Historically, this event dates to 701 BC. Sennacherib, king of Assyria (705-681 BC), was a formidable ruler, known for his military prowess and brutal conquests. Tirhakah (Taharqa, c. 690–664 BC) was a powerful pharaoh of the 25th Dynasty of Egypt, known as the Kushite or Nubian Dynasty, which ruled both Egypt and Cush (modern Sudan). Though the text presents him as "king of Ethiopia" (Cush), it's important to note that he wasn't yet the sole pharaoh of Egypt at this precise moment (he would assume full power later), but he was likely a commander of the Kushite forces. His movement represented a significant threat to Assyrian interests in the region and provided a divinely orchestrated distraction that set the stage for Jerusalem's deliverance.

2 Kings 19 9 Word analysis

• And he heard say: The Hebrew word is wayyishmaʿ (וַיִּשְׁמַע), from the root shamaʿ (שָׁמַע), meaning "to hear," "to obey," or "to understand." Here, it signifies Sennacherib's reception of significant intelligence. This "hearing" is crucial, as Isaiah had prophesied in 2 Ki 19:7 that a "rumour" (shemu’ah) would cause Sennacherib to withdraw, indicating divine control over seemingly random events.
• concerning Tirhakah: Hebrew Tirhaqah (תִּרְחָקָה). He was a pharaoh of the 25th Dynasty of Egypt (Kushite/Nubian). His appearance on the historical stage, precisely when Assyria was dominating Judah, demonstrates God's sovereignty over world powers, raising up one power to challenge another as part of His divine plan for His people. This underscores the theological principle that earthly rulers and events are ultimately under God's control (Dan 4:17).
• king of Ethiopia: Hebrew Meleḵ Kūš (מֶלֶךְ כּוּשׁ). "Ethiopia" here refers to the ancient kingdom of Kush (Cush), located south of Egypt, corresponding to modern-day Sudan. The people of Kush were often associated with strength and alliances with Egypt, but also a reliance on human power (Isa 30:2-3). God often showed His power against the strength of nations.
• Behold, he is come out: Hebrew hinneh yātsāʾ (הִנֵּה יָצָא). "Behold" (hinneh) emphasizes the immediate and significant nature of the news. "Is come out" (yātsāʾ) denotes an active advance, a direct movement of military force. This was not a passive threat but an active engagement that demanded Sennacherib's attention.
• to fight against thee: Hebrew l^ehillāḥēm ʿālêkā (לְהִלָּחֵם עָלֶיךָ). This clarifies the intention: military confrontation. Sennacherib, renowned for his conquests, was now the one being threatened by another mighty king, a subtle turn of the tables orchestrated by God. It reflects Proverbs 21:1: "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."
• And when he heard it, he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying: Hebrew wayyišmaʿ wayyišlaḥ malʾākhîm ʿôd ʾel Hizqiyyahu lēʾmor. This shows Sennacherib's immediate reaction. Despite the new threat, he still prioritizes sending again (ʿôd) messengers to Hezekiah, which indicates his resolve to break Judah's will. However, this delay provided precious time and space for God's divine intervention. His subsequent message (2 Ki 19:10-13) intensified his blasphemy, further setting the stage for his destruction. This whole sequence highlights God's strategic timing and use of seemingly ordinary circumstances (a rumor, an opposing king's movements) to achieve His purposes. It is a polemic against the Assyrian gods and their belief in ultimate power through military might; here, God demonstrates His ability to stir up even great kings against each other.

2 Kings 19 9 Bonus section

The mention of "Tirhakah king of Ethiopia" (Kush) highlights the sophisticated interconnections of ancient Near Eastern politics. Kush was a powerful kingdom with significant cultural and military influence, and its 25th Dynasty rulers saw themselves as restorers of traditional Egyptian values. Their movement northwards presented a challenge to Assyrian dominance and was likely perceived as a significant geopolitical chess move, albeit one divinely orchestrated. The Assyrian inscriptions for Sennacherib's campaign make no explicit mention of Tirhakah at this specific juncture but describe the defeat of Egyptian and Nubian forces at the Battle of Eltekeh (also 701 BC), confirming their presence. The Bible's account is historically accurate regarding the overall context of a Kushite challenge. The seemingly ordinary movement of an army is revealed in Scripture as part of God's overarching purpose to deliver His people and demonstrate His superiority over all human might and pagan deities. This serves as a strong polemic against the notion that mere military might or reliance on powerful human alliances (such as Judah relying on Egypt, which Isaiah often warned against) guarantees victory. Instead, victory belongs to the Lord alone (Ps 3:8; Prov 21:31).

2 Kings 19 9 Commentary

Second Kings 19:9 serves as a critical interlude, a divine "plot twist" within the broader narrative of Jerusalem's siege. Sennacherib, previously focused intently on conquering Jerusalem, is now suddenly presented with a new, formidable enemy—Tirhakah, king of Kush. This news functions as the precise "rumour" prophesied by Isaiah (2 Ki 19:7), demonstrating God's meticulous control over global events. It compels Sennacherib to temporarily shift his attention from Jerusalem, illustrating God's strategic use of other nations to orchestrate deliverance for His people. This external threat not only diverts the Assyrian king but also intensifies his resolve to taunt Hezekiah once more, setting the stage for his ultimate defeat by directly challenging the God of Israel. It emphasizes that divine intervention doesn't always come in a direct, overt form initially but can unfold through geopolitical shifts, rumors, and the movements of armies, all meticulously woven into God's sovereign plan. For the people of Judah, this was a clear sign that the Lord was actively working on their behalf, even when His intervention wasn't immediately obvious. It teaches that when we trust in God, He will prepare the battle in ways beyond human comprehension.

Example: Just as God used the threat of Tirhakah to divert Sennacherib, He can use unexpected challenges or distractions in our lives (a new job opportunity, a change in circumstances, a health concern) to move us away from spiritual battles we are ill-equipped to fight, or to bring about His perfect timing for deliverance.