2 Chronicles 32:1–8

Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem

32:9–19pp—2Ki 18:17–35; Isa 36:2–20 32:20–21pp—2Ki 19:35–37; Isa 37:36–38

32After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacherib^x king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, thinking to conquer them for himself. ²When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to wage war against Jerusalem,^{y 3}he consulted with his officials and military staff about blocking off the water from the springs outside the city, and they helped him. ⁴They gathered a large group of people who blocked all the springs^z and the stream that flowed through the land. “Why should the kings^a of Assyria come and find plenty of water?” they said. ⁵Then he worked hard repairing all the broken sections of the wall^a and building towers on it. He built another wall outside that one and reinforced the terraces^bb of the City of David. He also made large numbers of weapons^c and shields.

⁶He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: ⁷“Be strong and courageous.^d Do not be afraid or discouraged^e because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.^{f 8}With him is only the arm of flesh,^g but with us^h is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.”ⁱ And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.