2 kings 19:1 - When king Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into Yahweh’s house.

Generated Verse: 2 kings 19:1

What does "2 kings 19:1" mean?


This verse from 2 Kings 19:1 describes King Hezekiah's reaction to a threatening message from the Assyrian king, Sennacherib. Let's break down what each part of the verse signifies:

"When King Hezekiah heard it..." This refers to the threatening letter delivered by messengers from Sennacherib. This letter contained insults against God and demanded Hezekiah's surrender.

"...he tore his clothes..." Tearing one's clothes was a traditional Jewish expression of intense grief, distress, mourning, or repentance. It signified the depth of Hezekiah's emotional response to the crisis.

"...covered himself with sackcloth..." Sackcloth was a coarse, uncomfortable fabric typically made of goat hair. It was worn as a sign of mourning, humility, and repentance before God.

"...and went into Yahweh’s house." This shows that Hezekiah's immediate response was to turn to God for help. Going to the temple (Yahweh's house) was an act of seeking divine intervention and guidance in a time of great peril. It symbolized a humble appeal to God for deliverance.

In essence, this verse portrays Hezekiah as:

Distressed and Grievous: The torn clothes and sackcloth highlight his profound sorrow and alarm at the Assyrian threat.
Repentant and Humble: The sackcloth also indicates a possible recognition of the nation's sins and a desire for God's forgiveness.
Trusting in God: Going to the temple demonstrates his faith in Yahweh's power and his belief that God is the only one who can deliver them from this seemingly insurmountable threat.
A Leader who Sought Divine Guidance: Hezekiah, rather than relying solely on military strength or political alliances, prioritizes seeking God's intervention.

In summary, the verse illustrates Hezekiah's response to a major crisis, demonstrating his deep faith, humility, and reliance on God. His actions set the stage for seeking prophetic guidance from Isaiah and ultimately lead to God's miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian army.