Hezekiah’s Prayer2 Kings 18:37-19:3

Hezekiah is

Troubled2 Kings 18:37-19:3

Surrounded by Wrath & Might of Assyrian Empire2 Kings 18:7,13,17-20

Assyrians were one of the most warlike people in history, lovers of the violence of the war and hunt.

Amongst the people of the ancient Middle East, they were famous for

their cruelty. At the peak of its power, Assyria stretched from Egypt

to Persian Gulf. 

Who Are the Assyrians?

Assyrians invented siege machines, like battering rams and mobile towers shooting

arrows. The ram hanged on a rope inside the mobile tower. The whole population of the besieged towns would be massacred and the human heads piled outside

the city's wall. 

Besides massacring the enemy soldiers, Assyrians made mass

deportations of the rulers (nobles, functionaries, craftsmen), so that the

remaining people obeyed with humiliation (the most famous is that

described in the Bible, of the Israeli to Babylon). Enemy kings were

beheaded, and their heads hanged in trees and cities were destroyed.

Women were made slaves.

Defeat of Lachish

King Jehu’s Tribute

Black Obelisk

Carried away with hooks Amos 4:2

King Sennacherib: “No god of any nation or kingdom was able to

deliver his people from my hand…How much less will your God

deliver you from my hand?” 2 Chron. 32:17

What would YOU do?

Complain?

Worry?

Accuse?

Blame?

Give in?

Quit?

In the midst of this crisis

In the midst of this crisis

Hezekiah

PRAISED

GOD!2 Ki. 19:14-19

What did Hezekiah do?

God Heard Hezekiah’s Praise2 Kings 19:20,32-36; 2 Chron 32:20-23

“The Lord sent an

angel who cut down

every mighty man of valor”

Scripture is Filled with Praise of God

• Angels (Isa. 6:3)• All Creation (Psa. 148)• Numerous Psalms• Prayers of faith• Day and night (Rev. 4:8)

How do YOU handle the trials of life?

Complain?Worry?

Accuse? Give in?

Quit?

TOO OFTEN our lips are without praise! (Heb. 13:15)

When We Praise God…• Deflates Enemy’s Power

(Psa. 18:1-6)

• Minimizes problems (Habk. 3:3,17-19; Rom. 8:31)

• Takes focus off of self (Psa. 115:1f)

• Empowers our walk (Exod. 15:1-5; Psa. 28:6-7)

• Testimony to World (Psa. 57:9)

“Praise the Lord, O my soul! While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while

I have my being” (Psa. 146:1-2)