2 Chronicles

Covers Solomon's reign and the kingdom of Judah's history, emphasizing faithfulness to God.

Chapter 32

1 After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.

*After these events happened, King Sennacherib of Assyria arrived in Judah and set up camp near the fortified cities, trying to take control of them for himself.

2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,

*When Hezekiah noticed Sennacherib arriving and planning to attack Jerusalem,

3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.

*He asked his leaders and strong people how to block the water from the outside fountains near the city, and they assisted him in doing it.

4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?

*Many people came together and stopped all the water sources, asking, "Why would the kings of Assyria arrive to find so much water?"

5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.

*He got stronger, rebuilt the damaged wall, added an extra wall outside, fixed Millo in the city of David, and made many darts and shields.

6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,

*He appointed war leaders for the people, brought them together at the city gate, and encouraged them with kind words.

7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:

*Be brave and confident; don't fear or be scared of the king of Assyria or the large number of soldiers with him. There are more people on our side than on theirs.

8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

*With him is a human arm; but with us is God to help and fight for us. The people trusted in King Hezekiah's words.

9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,

*After this, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, sent his messengers to Jerusalem. Meanwhile, he set up a blockade against Lachish with his entire army. He spoke to Hezekiah, the king of Judah, and all the people in Jerusalem, saying,

10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?

*So says King Sennacherib of Assyria, on what do you rely to stay in the siege in Jerusalem?

11 Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

*Does Hezekiah not convince you to surrender yourselves to die from hunger and thirst, saying that the Lord our God will save us from the hand of the king of Assyria?

12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?

*Didn't Hezekiah remove the high places and altars, and tell Judah and Jerusalem to worship at only one altar and light incense on it?

13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?

*Do you not know what my ancestors and I have done to the people from other countries? Were the gods of those nations able to save their lands from my control at all?

14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?

*Who among all the other gods of those nations my ancestors completely destroyed had the power to save their people from my control, that your God can save you from my control?

15 Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?

*Don't let Hezekiah mislead you. Don't trust him or be convinced by his words. No god from any country or kingdom has been able to save their people from us or our ancestors, so why would you think your God can save you from us?

16 And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah.

*And his helpers talked even more against the Lord God and against His helper Hezekiah.

17 He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.

*He wrote letters to criticize the Lord God of Israel, saying, "Just like other gods couldn't save their people from me, the God of Hezekiah won't be able to save his people either."

18 Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.

*Then they shouted loudly in the Jewish language to the people on the city walls, trying to scare and disturb them. They did this so they could capture the city.

19 And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man.

*They talked bad about the God of Jerusalem like they did with other gods, which people made themselves.

20 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.

*Hezekiah, the king, and Isaiah, the prophet, prayed and cried to heaven because of this situation.

21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.

*Then God sent an angel who defeated all the brave warriors and leaders in the king of Assyria's camp. The king went back to his country feeling embarrassed. When he got home, his own statues killed him with a sword.

22 Thus the LORD saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.

*So, the LORD rescued Hezekiah and the people in Jerusalem from Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, as well as everyone else threatening them, and guided them in all directions.

23 And many brought gifts unto the LORD to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.

*Many people gave gifts to God in Jerusalem for Hezekiah, the king of Judah. This made him famous among all the countries after that.

24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.

*In that time, Hezekiah was very ill and might have died. He prayed to God, and God spoke to him, giving him a promise.

25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

*But Hezekiah didn't return what he had been given; he was proud. So, anger came upon him, as well as Judah and Jerusalem.

26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

*Even though Hezekiah was proud, he later became humble. He and the people of Jerusalem did this too. Because of their humility, God's anger didn't come down on them while Hezekiah was still alive.

27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;

*Hezekiah had a lot of wealth and respect. He stored large amounts of silver, gold, valuable gems, fragrances, shields, and various beautiful items in his treasuries.

28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.

*Buildings for storing grain, wine, and oil, plus shelters for various animals and pens for sheep and goats.

29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.

*Moreover, he gave him many cities and lots of animals: God had given him a great amount of wealth.

30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

*Hezekiah stopped water from Gihon and directed it to the city's west side. He was successful in everything he did.

31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

*However, when it came to the work of the envoys from the rulers of Babylon, who asked him about the amazing event happening in the land, God allowed this to happen so as to test him and discover everything in his heart.

32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

*The remaining events of Hezekiah's life and his kindness can be found in Isaiah the prophet's vision, son of Amoz, as well as in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

*Hezekiah passed away and was buried in a prominent tomb, a place reserved for the descendants of David. Everyone in Judah and Jerusalem honored him when he died. Then his son Manasseh took over as king.

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