2 kings 19:36 - So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and lived at Nineveh.

Generated Verse: 2 kings 19:36

What does "2 kings 19:36" mean?


This verse, 2 Kings 19:36, is the concluding statement about the Assyrian king Sennacherib after his failed siege of Jerusalem. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed...": This indicates that Sennacherib abandoned his campaign against Jerusalem. He did not conquer the city.

"...and went and returned...": This is a common Hebrew idiom that simply means "returned." It emphasizes that he went back to his homeland.

"...and lived at Nineveh.": Nineveh was the capital city of the Assyrian Empire. This phrase means that Sennacherib went back to his capital and resided there.

In summary, the verse means that Sennacherib, having failed to capture Jerusalem, went back to his capital city of Nineveh and resumed his life as king there.

Context and Significance

The verse is important because it underscores the following points:

Divine Intervention: The preceding verses in 2 Kings 19 describe how God intervened to protect Jerusalem from the Assyrian army. An angel of the Lord struck down a large number of Assyrian soldiers, forcing Sennacherib to retreat. This verse is the direct result of that divine intervention.
Failure of Sennacherib: The verse highlights that Sennacherib's campaign against Judah and Jerusalem was ultimately a failure. He was forced to abandon his plans.
Preservation of Jerusalem: This verse demonstrates that Jerusalem was spared from Assyrian conquest, fulfilling the prophecies and promises made to King Hezekiah.
Foreshadowing of Sennacherib's demise: While this verse only states that Sennacherib returned to Nineveh, the very next verse (2 Kings 19:37) describes his assassination by his own sons. So while he returned to Nineveh and lived there, he did not have a long and peaceful reign afterwards.

In essence, 2 Kings 19:36 is a short but powerful statement that marks the end of Sennacherib's campaign and underscores the power and protection of God for those who trust in Him. It serves as a contrast between the seemingly invincible Assyrian empire and the power of the God of Israel.

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