2 Kings 18 Summary
2 Kings 18 describes the reign of Hezekiah, king of Judah. Hezekiah becomes king at age 25 and rules for 29 years in Jerusalem. He is portrayed as a faithful and righteous king, removing idolatry from Judah, breaking down altars to other gods, and even destroying the bronze serpent that Moses had made because people had begun to worship it.
Hezekiah trusts in the Lord more than any king before or after him. During his reign, Assyria captures Samaria and exiles Israel for their unfaithfulness. Later, King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah and takes several fortified cities. Hezekiah tries to appease Sennacherib by paying tribute, but the Assyrians still threaten Jerusalem. Sennacherib sends officials to Jerusalem to intimidate the people, boasting that God cannot save them from Assyria.
The chapter ends with the people silent, following Hezekiah’s command not to answer the Assyrian envoys. The fate of Jerusalem is left unresolved in this chapter, setting up the events to follow in the next chapters.
