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The chronicler briefly recounts an event covered more fully in 2Ki 18-19. Sennacherib invades Judah despite Hezekiah’s faithful activity. The Israelites block off the land’s water sources, reinforce Jerusalem’s walls, and fashion additional weaponry. Hezekiah addresses the citizens, in terms of holy war, to trust in the Lord and not to be dismayed by Assyria’s might.
Sennacherib mocks Judah’s resistance and interprets Hezekiah’s removal of high places as an affront to the Lord. This charge might seem reasonable to any Israelite who had worshiped the Lord at these shrines. Sennacherib questions Hezekiah’s leadership and reminds the inhabitants that all other gods had been impotent against his forces. He suggests that the Lord will be equally powerless.
Much to Sennacherib’s surprise, God delivers Jerusalem. Hezekiah and Isaiah place the battle on a spiritual level. Whose god is omnipotent, whose is impotent? In response to prayer, the Lord sends an angel to destroy the Assyrian army. In his own temple, Sennacherib’s god is unable to protect the king from his murderous sons. In contrast, Hezekiah and Judah enjoy peace.
Hezekiah’s final report includes a story demonstrating repentance and restoration. Hezekiah becomes proud after being healed of a deadly disease. God delays his wrath when the king repents. Because of his faithfulness, this monarch enjoys God’s blessings: wealth, military success, and building projects. The chronicler briefly mentions the visit of the Babylonian envoys but does not link this event to God’s wrath.