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

32 After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacheribx king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, thinking to conquer them for himself. 2 When 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. 4 They gathered a large group of people who blocked all the springsz and the stream that flowed through the land. “Why should the kingsa of Assyria come and find plenty of water?” they said. 5 Then he worked hard repairing all the broken sections of the walla and building towers on it. He built another wall outside that one and reinforced the terracesb b of the City of David. He also made large numbers of weaponsc and shields.

6 He 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 discouragede 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 ush 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.