2 chronicles 32:6 - He set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the wide place at the gate of the city, and spoke encouragingly to them, saying,

Generated Verse: 2 chronicles 32:6

What does "2 chronicles 32:6" mean?


2 Chronicles 32:6 describes King Hezekiah's preparations for a potential siege of Jerusalem by the Assyrian army under Sennacherib. Let's break down the verse:

"He set captains of war over the people...": This indicates Hezekiah appointed military leaders to command different groups of the population. This was to organize and lead the defense of Jerusalem. He didn't just rely on a standing army, but mobilized the people.

"...and gathered them together to him in the wide place at the gate of the city...": Hezekiah assembled these captains and, presumably, the people under their command in a large open area (the "wide place") near the city gate. City gates were crucial for defense, as they were the main entry points. Gathering them there would have been a strategic location for communication and mobilization. A "wide place" (or plaza) was common in ancient cities and used for public gatherings.

"...and spoke encouragingly to them, saying,": Hezekiah addressed the leaders (and potentially the larger group) with words of encouragement and motivation. This was a crucial part of preparing for war. By instilling confidence, hope, and resolve in the people, he aimed to strengthen their will to resist the enemy. The content of his encouraging speech is detailed in the following verses.

In essence, the verse describes Hezekiah's leadership in preparing Jerusalem for war:

Military Organization: He established a chain of command by appointing captains.
Strategic Assembly: He gathered his forces at a key defensive location.
Motivational Speech: He boosted morale through encouraging words.

The verse is important because it highlights Hezekiah's proactive and strategic approach to facing a formidable threat. He didn't simply wait for the Assyrians to attack; he took concrete steps to strengthen Jerusalem's defenses and inspire its people to fight.

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