1. What did King Hezekiah do that was righteous when he became king? (2 Kings 18:1-8)

He removed all the high places, pillars, and Asherah poles that were used to worship false gods or to worship God wrongly. He destroyed the bronze serpent that Moses made in the wilderness so that the people would not worship it. Hezekiah was faithful to understand and keep God’s law, which was the command given to every Israelite king (Deuteronomy 17).

2. Who came to attack Judah? What did Hezekiah try to do to keep Jerusalem safe? (2 Kings 18:9-18)

Assyria came to attack—first the northern kingdom, which fell in 722 BC after a long siege. Hezekiah tried to bribe Assyria by giving them gold and silver, even stripping it from the temple, in hopes that they would leave Jerusalem alone. This tribute was a sign of submission and dependence on Assyria as the greater power.

3. How did the commander of Assyria try to lie and deceive Judah? (2 Kings 18:19-35)

The Assyrian commander tried to make the people doubt that God was with them. He twisted the truth and made Hezekiah look like the bad guy for removing the high places, even though Hezekiah was being obedient. He tried to convince the people that trusting in Egypt—or in any nation—would fail. He also falsely claimed that God had sent him to attack Jerusalem. He made false promises of peace and comfort if the people would abandon Hezekiah and stop trusting Yahweh, mocking God as if He were no different than the powerless gods of the other nations.

4. What did Hezekiah do after hearing the threats from Assyria? Who did he go to? (2 Kings 19:1-4)

Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, went into the temple, and prayed to Yahweh. He sought the Lord first. He then sent messengers to the prophet Isaiah to hear what God would say to Judah.

5. What did Hezekiah say in his prayer to God, and how did God answer through Isaiah? (2 Kings 19:5-7, 14-19, 20-34)

Hezekiah prayed to the God of heaven and earth, declaring that Yahweh alone is God. He asked God to save Jerusalem so that all the nations would know who the true God is. God answered through Isaiah, telling Hezekiah not to fear—Assyria would be defeated. The king of Assyria would return home in shame and be destroyed. God would defend and save His people to show that He alone is God and to keep His covenant promise to David.

6. How did God win the victory over Assyria for His people? (2 Kings 19:35-37)

God sent the Angel of the Lord, who struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night—without Judah having to fight at all. The king of Assyria fled home, and later his own sons killed him while he was worshiping false gods. God showed Himself to be the true and supreme King—the only God who protects and delivers His people.

7. What does this teach us about who God is and who Jesus is?

Jesus will return in victory and destroy all His enemies. Revelation tells us that Jesus will completely crush Satan, sin, and death when He comes again. We can trust that our God will save and deliver His people in the end. He alone is God, He is worthy of all worship, and He desires people from every nation to know Him as Lord and Savior and bow before Him as the true and only King.