“When King Hezekiah heard this, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the Lord. He sent Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the secretary, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.” (Isaiah 37:1-2 NIV)
Hezekiah’s precautionary measures to keep the Assyrians away had not been successful enough. The enemy was standing at the walls of Jerusalem. King Sennacherib sent a group of commanders to convince the inhabitants of Jerusalem that their situation was hopeless and that they would be better off surrendering:
“Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you and mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my predecessors. How much less will your god deliver you from my hand!” (2 Chronicles 32:15 NIV)
Their speech was full of half-truths and slander against King Hezekiah and against the God of Israel — intended to create confusion and break the morale of the people.
In response to this verbal attack, Hezekiah went to the temple, the house of God. He also asked the prophet Isaiah to pray that God — who had Himself been insulted by the Assyrians — would save the people.
So Hezekiah did not primarily defend himself, but sought help from the Lord. Do you think that was a wise decision? How could God be actively involved in political conflicts — both then and today?