Isaiah Chapter 37 — The Deliverance of Jerusalem
King Hezekiah prays for God's protection against the Assyrian army, and the Lord responds by miraculously defeating the invaders and fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy.
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Notable Verses
Isaiah 37:16
“LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, who is enthroned among the cherubim, you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.”
This verse highlights Hezekiah's recognition of God's supreme authority over all creation and earthly kingdoms.
Isaiah 37:35
“For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.”
This verse demonstrates God's commitment to protecting Jerusalem based on His own character and His promise to David.
Isaiah 37:36
“Then the LORD’s angel went out and struck one hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the camp of the Assyrians.”
This represents the miraculous turning point where God directly intervenes to end the Assyrian threat.
Chapter Summary
Isaiah 37 records the climax of the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. Upon receiving a threatening letter from Sennacherib, King Hezekiah enters the temple and presents his plea before God. He acknowledges God's sovereignty over all nations and asks for deliverance. The prophet Isaiah sends a message of assurance, prophesying that Sennacherib will not enter the city but will return to his own land. God's judgment is pronounced against the arrogance of Assyria, noting that their past conquests were only possible because God allowed them. That night, the angel of the Lord strikes the Assyrian camp, killing 185,000 soldiers. Sennacherib retreats to Nineveh, where he is eventually assassinated by his own sons, as Isaiah had foretold, and his son Esar Haddon succeeds him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hezekiah went to the temple to pray after receiving a letter from the Assyrian king threatening Jerusalem's destruction. He spread the letter out before God as a symbolic gesture of seeking divine help and judgment.
Isaiah delivered a message from God telling Hezekiah not to be afraid of the Assyrian threats. He prophesied that Sennacherib would hear a rumor and return to his own land, where he would eventually fall by the sword.
According to the text, the angel of the Lord struck 185,000 soldiers in the Assyrian camp during the night. This catastrophic loss forced Sennacherib to abandon his siege and return to his capital, Nineveh.
While he was worshiping in the house of his god Nisroch, two of his sons, Adrammelech and Sharezer, killed him with a sword. They then fled to the land of Ararat, and his son Esar Haddon took the throne.
Study Note
The prayer of Hezekiah in this chapter emphasizes God's role as Creator, contrasting the living God of Israel with the lifeless idols of the nations Assyria had conquered.
Related Chapters
2 Kings 19
This chapter provides a parallel historical account of Hezekiah's prayer and the Assyrian defeat.
2 Chronicles 32
This chapter offers another perspective on the Assyrian invasion and God's deliverance of Judah.
Isaiah 36
The previous chapter details the initial intimidation and threats made by the Assyrian messenger.
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